Equality laws are too strong for some publicans to stomach
We believe stories have been blown out of all proportion and circulated as part of a Vintner’s Federation of Ireland (VFI) campaign against the equality laws.
The Equal Status Act and Employment Equality Acts were introduced to give people who believe they have been discriminated against a way to seek redress.
They forbid discrimination on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, race, nationality or membership of the Traveller community. Before these laws, discrimination was not illegal.
Many people had no protection from discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere. Many women and members of minority groups experienced blatant and subtle forms of discrimination.
These laws are necessary because discrimination is a fact of life for many people from minority communities in Ireland. It can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.
Segregation has seeped into the way our society is organised at many levels.
Mayo Travellers Support Group supports publicans who treat people fairly. We support their right to refuse anyone who is causing or threatening to cause trouble.
The Equal Status act does not undermine these rights. The only thing that it makes illegal is discrimination.
Publicans or other service providers can no longer refuse a person because they are a woman, or gay, or disabled, or black, or a Traveller.
The VFI should embrace the equality laws, but it would appear they are finding this rather difficult. Travellers are not the only group who have been discriminated against by publicans.
There is a profit motive behind discrimination. It is about creating and keeping certain clients. Young, single, professionals with a lot of disposable income are the main focus for publicans. Mature, white, male drinkers are also targets.
This can lead to the refusal of “others” who may “put off” desired clients. Such social segregation is unacceptable in a modern, pluralist society.
Gearóid Ó Riain,
Mayo Travellers Support Group,
c/o Pavee Point,
Church Lane, Westport
Co Mayo
