The Government has agreed to draft new public house legislation to ensure that a licensee does not have to admit children under 15, according to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell.
He said that the Government felt it had not been the intention of the Equal Status Act to oblige licensees to permit young children onto their premises.
In many cases, licensed premises were inappropriate places for young children. Speaking at the launch of the Equality Authority annual report for 2001, he said the licensing laws needed clarification in relation to the rights and duties governing refusal of service. However, this need not weaken the current prohibition on discrimination on any of the existing grounds in the anti-discrimination legislation.
It was necessary to take away the potential for misunderstanding and ill-feeling from this area, he said.
Some publicans feel they are on the receiving end of raids that are probing management policy with a view to taking cases.
Other people feel they have democratic rights that need to be asserted. "It is that clash of rights I want to reconcile," he said. He also said the application and prosecution of the licensing laws had been "patchy and uneven" in relation to issues like under-age drinking and the serving of alcohol to people already drunk.
He would be looking at the unequal application of the law in this area. He stressed the Government was committed to supporting equality initiatives and enhancing the existing statutory foundation for equality.
"Our aim is to promote greater respect for the individual and for diversity, equality and cultural difference in Ireland, to develop and pursue equal opportunity and equal access politics and to support the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities." Referring to the "Know Racism" programme supported by the Government, he said his experience on the doorsteps during the election showed him there was a potential for racism in Irish society.
"This must be addressed before it spills over into organised form."
"The Equality Authority will be tolerant of those it does not agree with." Overall the annual report of the Equality Authority shows increasing demand for its services. The case-load of the authority increased eight-fold between 2000 and 2001.