User:Hickeyn/Equality Authority (Ireland)

Equality Authority (Ireland)

The Equality Authority is an independent body set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998. It was established on 18th October 1999. The Equality Authority replaced the Employment Equality Agency, and has a greatly expanded role and functions.

Irish Equality Legislation
The Authority primarily deals with two pieces of equality legislation:


 * The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2007 which outlaws discrimination in relation to employment, vocational training, job advertisements, collective agreements, and access to trade union membership
 * The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 which outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods and services and other opportunities to which the public generally have access.

The above legislation only applies where discrimination has occurred because of one (or more) of the following nine grounds:


 * gender
 * marital status
 * family status
 * age
 * disability
 * race
 * sexual orientation
 * religious belief
 * membership of the Traveller Community.

Portmarnock Golf Club
Gender - Access to Registered Club

Probably the most high profile case to be taken by the Equality Authority. The case was pursued by the Equality Authority under the Equal Status Acts. Portmarnock Golf Club does not permit women to become full members. The Authority alleged unlawful discrimination on grounds of gender under the legislation. The golf club counter-argued that it was permitted under the legislation to cater only for the needs of men. The Equality Authority initially won the case in the District Court. Portmarnock appealed to the High Court who overturned the earlier ruling, and found in favour of the golf club. The Authority then appealed to the Supreme Court who, in 2009, ruled in favour of Portmarnock Golf Club.

Ryanair
Age - Access to Employment

One of the first cases taken by the Equality Authority under the Employment Equality legislation.