The Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in the provision of goods, services, education, and accommodation. They cover the nine grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community. The enactment of this legislation represented the fulfillment of a commitment contained in the Good Friday Agreement and placed Ireland at the forefront of Europe in terms of anti-discrimination legislation.
However, in recent years, the number of complaints made under the Equal Status Acts has begun to decline. Questions continue to be raised about the legislation’s compatibility with Ireland’s obligations under international and regional human rights instruments. The dedicated equality bodies which were in place when the legislation was introduced, the Equality Tribunal and the Equality Authority, have been subsumed into the Workplace Relations Commission and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission respectively. At the same time, we have seen the introduction of a dedicated Public Sector Human Rights and Equality Duty.
The recent commitments by the Government - to examine the introduction of a “disadvantaged socio-economic status” ground and to review Ireland’s equality legislation generally - afford another opportunity for Ireland to act as European leaders in promoting equality and combatting discrimination.
In light of the above, FLAC ran a month-long Seminar Series throughout June which examined these issues and sought to contribute to the debate about the future of Ireland’s equality law. Academics, practitioners, policy-makers, and activists joined together to reflect on the experience, impact, and limitations of this legislation to date, and explore its future role in Ireland’s equality framework. Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth delivered the series’ Closing Address on Tuesday, 22nd June 2021.
The Seminar Series has now concluded. To watch the recorded discussions, please click here.