Submission to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the Equality Bill 2004, Part III: Proposed Amendments to Equal Status Act 2000

FLAC welcomes the introduction of amendments to bring existing legislation into accordance with the European Directives.

However we are of the view that in relation to the proposed amendments to the Equal Status Act 2000, the most striking changes in fact have the effect of narrowing rather than enhancing protection against discrimination. In particular, we are concerned at an apparent trend towards allowing discrimination on the part of State institutions which would be unlawful if carried out by non-State actors.