IRELAND: Employment Anti-Discrimination Bill To Follow In Wake Of Marriage

Via the Irish Times:

Legislation to prevent schools and hospitals discriminating against current or future employees because of their sexuality will be in place by summer. Minister of State for Equality Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said he is working hard to ensure the Employment Equality Act will be amended by September, when the new school term starts. The Act allows religious-run schools and hospitals to discriminate against employees or prospective employees whose sexuality or family status is not perceived as conforming with the religious ethos of the institution. The legislation would offer protections to staff of religious-run medical and educational institutions who are members of the LGBT community or those who are single parents. At the same time, the Bill would allow institutions to maintain their religious ethos. The amendment is to be drafted in the Department of Justice and Mr Ó Ríordáin hopes to have it passed through the Dáil and Seanad by the end of the year.

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerard)