Subj : nother kinda related (non-Qld) article:
To   : All
From : Rachel L. Akers
Date : Tue Nov 14 2000 12:31 am

Morning All,

More good news from other corners of the globe...

  Rai


        Irish Anti-Bias Law Leads Europe 
        PlanetOut News Staff 
        Thursday, October 26, 2000 / 08:29 AM 


SUMMARY: A new Equal Status Act, which includes protections for gays and 
lesbians, is just part of the plan to make Ireland tops in anti-discrimination 
codes.


Already protected from discrimination in the workplace, gays and lesbians in 
the Republic of Ireland are now equally protected outside it, as Justice 
Minister John O'Donoghue signed the Equal Status Act into law on October 25. 
Parliament approved the bill in April. Following the Employment Equality Act 
that went into effect in 1999, the Equal Status Act is another piece in the 
plan to give Ireland, in O'Donoghue's words, "one of the most modern 
anti-discrimination codes in the world"; the next piece is the Disabilities 
Bill to be published next year.


Sexual orientation is one of nine categories now protected from discrimination 
in provision of goods, services (including education) and accommodations 
(including membership in private clubs), whether by private or government 
entities (including health boards), along with age (over 50), disability, 
family status (having dependent children or not), gender, marital status, 
membership in the Irish Travellers community, race, and religion. Those who 
feel they have experienced unequal treatment can file a complaint with the 
Director of Equality Investigations, a government entity already established 
under the Employment Equality Act, which can issue orders to be enforced by the 
courts.


O'Donoghue said, "The Equal Status Act is based on the principle that everyone 
has an equal right to participate in our society. People should not be denied 
access to services, facilities, or amenities just because of their skin color, 
their disability or their membership of the Traveller community. Everyone, male 
or female, black or white, young or old, with or without a disability should be 
seen as being of equal worth and entitlement."


He said, "We have put in place what many commentators regard as the most 
comprehensive and progressive anti-discrimination legislation in the European 
Union. From today onwards, we will have comprehensive legal protection against 
discrimination in the delivery of goods and services, whether provided by the 
state or private sector. This will be of great satisfaction to us all but it 
will be of particular benefit to people from marginalized groups and those 
vulnerable to discrimination."


The Justice Minister also announced the Government had approved plans for a 
three-year public awareness and education program to combat racism -- a larger 
problem since Ireland has become a destination for significant numbers of 
immigrants and refugees -- and noted that Ireland can now ratify the United 
Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.


The move was welcomed by businesses and trade unions alike, although not 
without reservations. A spokesperson for the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises 
Association (ISME) said, "We will ensure all our members are briefed about 
their responsibilities under the new Act. But we will also be lobbying for 
grant aid to ensure smaller companies can cover the cost of extra 
administration and of making their buildings accessible to the disabled." A 
spokesperson for Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) 
said, "Despite some flaws in this legislation ... SIPTU is confident that, over 
time, these flaws will be remedied. We urge people to make maximum and 
effective use of these laws and the services of trade unions to advance greater 
equality in Irish society."

--- Msged/2 4.00
 * Origin: Elfwhere - The POINTy eared POINT (3:640/531.2379)

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