Equality

Equal Status Act

Background The Irish Constitution contains a guarantee of equal treatment. However, the courts have interpreted the protection narrowly. It allows, to a significant extent, the treatment of persons with references to differences in relevant circumstances. It prohibits insidious and arbitrary discrimination only.… Read the rest

Goods & Services

Equality

General Prohibition Discrimination is unlawful in employment, education, training, the provision of goods and services and collective agreements. The original gender-based grounds of discrimination have been broadened. They cover the following grounds race (colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin); gender; sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual); membership of the travelling community; disability (including the total or partial absence of bodily or mental functions or chronic disease); ageism; religious belief or outlook; family status (whether the person concerned is a parent or not); marital status (whether the person concerned is single, married, divorced, separated or widowed) housing assistance (not relevant to employment).… Read the rest

General Exemptions

Equality

General Exemptions The Equal Status Act applies to goods and services provided to the public or to a section of the public. Accordingly, private activities are exempt, in so far as they relate to the provisions of goods and services.… Read the rest

Enforcement

Equality

Overview The Director of the Equality Tribunal and Equality officers formerly dealt with claims of unlawful discrimination in relation to trade and service as well as employment. A claim could be made directly to the Labour Court on the basis of general gender discrimination as an alternative.… Read the rest

Harassment

Equality

Overview The Equal Status Act prohibits harassment and, in particular, sexual harassment. Harassment is categorised as a form of discrimination, which involves the exercise of power and dominance on one of the statutorily prohibited grounds of discrimination.… Read the rest

Religion

Equality

Religious Ground of Discrimination The Equal Status Act applies the principle of equality to the disposal and provision of goods and services to the public generally. A trader or other service provider may not discriminate between customers or services recipients on certain specified grounds.… Read the rest

Disability

Equality

Disability Ground A trader and other services provides may not discriminate between customers or services recipients on certain specified grounds. The grounds include that of disability. The Equal Status Act protects against discrimination in relation to the provision of goods and services access to, or the use of any place; facilities for any banking, insurance, loans or financing; entertainment, recreation, cultural activities, transport or travel; services provided by a club; professional or trade services.… Read the rest

Gender & Status

Equality

Convention Ireland is a signatory to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This covers distinction, exclusion or restriction, on the basis of race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing recognition or enjoyment on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural and other public fields.… Read the rest

Race & Ethnicity

Equality

Age

Equality

Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination A trader and other services provides may not discriminate between customers or services recipients on certain specified grounds. The grounds are gender; marital status; religious belief; age; sexual orientation; disability; race; and membership of the travelling community.… Read the rest