Representatives of Traveller groups ended their meeting with the Minister for State responsible for Equality, Mr Willie O’Dea, at 2pm this afternoon promising to enter a submission as soon as possible to the Commission on Liquor Licensing.
The submission is to examine the rights of license holders to refuse admission to licensed premises and to make recommendations for any legislative changes to the Equality Bill.
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Mr Willie O'Dea
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A spokesman for the Irish Traveller Movement said he was happy the Minister gave the assurances that no blanket ban on travellers would be put in place.
Both the Minister and Traveller groups described the meeting as positive.
Earlier today Mr O’Dea, met with the Vitners Federation of Ireland (VFI) in an attempt to resolve a row that has led to the threat of a State-wide ban on serving Travellers in pubs.
Speaking after the meeting with the Minister, VFI chief executive Mr Tadg O’Sullivan said they had made it clear to Mr O’Dea they were not looking for a blanket ban on Travellers in pubs, but that they wanted to right to peaceably occupy their premises.
He said a report would be given to the VFI National Executive Council and a formal statement issued afterwards, but earlier told journalists he would not be conducting negotiations over the airways.
The VFI is seeking changes in the equality legislation to make it easier to refuse those they believe are potential troublemakers.
Today’s meetings follow a series of alleged incidents in pubs in Westport that has led to a ban by publicans in the town serving Travellers.
Mr O’Dea told The Irish Times yesterday he will announce later this week whether he believes the State's equality legislation should be changed.
He defended the current equality legislation, saying it "works well" in protecting people against discrimination.