Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
460. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Ireland has developed proposed responses or solutions to the concerns raised by Member States maintaining reservations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive, including concerns relating to scope, cost and decentralised competencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35877/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether bilateral engagement has taken place with Member States maintaining reservations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; the dates and format of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra462. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Ireland intends to table, support or advance a revised compromise text relating to the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department intends to publish or summarise its assessment of the implications of the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive and the 2024 Belgian Presidency compromise text for Irish law and policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the gaps, if any, have been identified between existing equality protections in the State and the protections proposed under the European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the 2024 Belgian Presidency compromise text remains the basis on which Ireland is engaging in negotiations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 461, 462, 463, 464 and 465 together.
Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of the adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive. As the Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the Council during our term, work with all Member States to understand their views, and will seek to progress this file.
As regards its current status, the Equal Treatment Directive is an active Council file, and I wish to recognise the leadership and remit of the Cyprus Presidency on this matter. The Cyprus Presidency are currently pursuing their mandate to lead the Council negotiations on the file. I understand the Cyprus Presidency intend to provide the EPSCO Council with a progress report on work during their Presidency on this file on the 29 June 2026. Ireland is working closely with the Cyprus Presidency and will be ready to take on responsibility as required for this file on 1 July.
As outlined, supporting the work of the Danish and the Cyprus Presidency, Ireland has continued to back efforts to reach unanimity at Council. As part of our Presidency preparations, I have met with Commissioner Lahbib to discuss the Directive, and officials are actively engaging with Member States at technical levels. I have also raised the Directive in the bilateral engagements I have had with ministerial counterparts. As appropriate, time at the EPSCO Council and at EU Working Parties will be made available to progress this file. Officials from the Department will continue their engagements with their counterparts, and I will also continue to engage bilaterally with Member States on this file as appropriate.
With regards to the substance of the Directive, if covers the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the areas of social protection, including social security and healthcare, education, and access to goods and services, including housing. While much is already covered in Irish law under the Equal Status Acts, full alignment with the current text would likely require changes related to the age ground (amendment to s.3(3) of the Equal Status Act to extend the age ground to those under 18), reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities, and in relation to intersectionality. Notably, the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 already proposes changes related to reasonable accommodation and intersectional claims.
I am confident that Ireland's Presidency will continue the important work of delivering on the goals of the Union of Equality strategies aimed at safeguarding and promoting rights and protecting the most vulnerable from discrimination.
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU are intensifying across Government and Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
