The Equality Authority has expressed concern on the outcome of a case taken under the Equal Status Act by a Traveller against the Garda Síochána. The case involved the investigation and prosecution of an incident involving four wandering horses on a public road. The claimant, a member of the Traveller community, was prosecuted because he…
The Equality Authority marked the first anniversary of the Equal Status Act by releasing data on its operation over this first year. The Equal Status Act addresses discrimination in the provision of goods, services, facilities, accommodation and education and the operation of registered clubs. It covers the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status,…
The Equality Authority and Iarnród Eireann welcome the settlement of one of the first hearing disability claims brought under the Employment Equality Act, 1998. Mr Tom Shanahan who is deaf applied to Iarnród Eireann for the job of body worker. He failed a medical test on account of his deafness. He then brought a claim…
The Equality Authority welcomes the recent judgements of the European Court of Justice relating to pregnancy discrimination. These judgements clarify that the prohibition against discrimination of a pregnant worker extends not just to permanent employees but also to employees on fixed term contracts. The Court has already held that the dismissal of a female worker…
The Equality Authority welcomed the New Gender Equality Policy for the Civil Service which was launched today by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. “The emphasis in this new policy on targets, timescales and positive action breaks new ground in our pursuit of equality” said Equality Authority CEO Niall Crowley. “The policy makes full use of…
The Equality Authority has expressed it’s concern with the developments in Ballinruane National School at Menlough near Ballinasloe where pupils were kept at home in a row over the decision to allow Travellers td attend the school. Such exclusion from education is an indication not only of grave inequalities but also of the deterioration of…
The Equality Authority welcomes the first successful case under the disability ground in the Employment Equality Act, 1998. The case relates to an employee who manufactured optical discs for a computer component company. She suffers from epilepsy but her condition is well controlled by medication. She had worked in the computer plant for a number…
The UN Anti-Racism Conference in South Africa is currently dominated by headlines surrounding the withdrawal of the US and Israeli delegations. Less visible but equally difficult is the search for a global consensus around a text that adequately addresses the issue of racism. Niall Crowley, C.E.O. of the Equality Authority stated “The importance of the…
The Equality Authority welcomes the recent Labour Court decision in favour of a woman who was dismissed by a firm of Solicitors on age grounds. This is the first decision of its kind in Europe and highlights the growing effectiveness of equality legislation in protecting people from ageism in the workplace. The Equality Authority represented…
The Equality Authority views with concern the statement by the President of the Vintners Federation of Ireland as reported in today’s newspaper that some members of the Traveller community are abusing the Equal Status Act. The allegations made included attempts to demand money from publicans if they refused to serve Travellers. The Equality Authority wishes…