HL Deb 07 November 2002 vol 640 cc173-4WA
Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made by the Irish Government to enhance employment equality legislation, as required by the Belfast Agreement; and whether knowledge of the Irish language is still a requirement for employment in some of the public service. [HL6341]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

In accordance with the commitment in the Belfast Agreement to implement enhanced employment equality legislation, the Employment Equality Act 1998 was implemented in the Republic of Ireland with effect from 18 October 1999. The Employment Equality Act 1988, which replaced the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act 1974 and the Employment Equality Act 1977, extends the grounds on which discrimination in relation to employment is prohibited to family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community as well as gender and marital status which were covered by the earlier legislation.

The Employment Equality Act 1998 allows for the application of provisions in relation to proficiency in the Irish language in respect of certain public service employments; namely, holding of office under, or in the service of, the state (including the Garda Siochana and Defence Forces) or otherwise as a civil servant, officers or servants of a local authority, a harbour authority, a health board or a vocational education committee and teachers in primary and post-primary schools.