Employment Equality Act 1998 (Number 21 of 1998).

The Act contains provisions with respect to discrimination in, and in connection with, employment, vocational training and membership of certain bodies and promoting equality between employed persons. For the purposes of this Act discrimination discriminatory grounds between any 2 persons are: a) that one is a woman and the other is a man (in this Act referred to as “the gender ground”); b) that they are of different civil status (in this Act referred to as “the civil status ground”): c) that one has family status and the other does not (in this Act referred to as “the family status ground”); d) that they are of different sexual orientation (in this Act referred to as “the sexual orientation ground”); e) that one has a different religious belief from the other, or that one has a religious belief and the other has not (in this Act referred to as “the religion ground”); f) that they are of different ages, but subject to subsection (3) (in this Act referred to as “the age ground”); g) that one is a person with a disability and the other either is not or is a person with a different disability (in this Act referred to as “the disability ground”); h) that they are of different race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins (in this Act referred to as “the ground of race”); i) that one is a member of the Traveller] community and the other is not (in this Act referred to as “the Traveller community ground”). Gender discrimination shall also occur where, on a ground related to her pregnancy or maternity leave, a woman employee is treated, contrary to any statutory requirement, less favourably than another employee is, has been or would be treated.
The Act under Part II contains general provisions and disciplines discrimination in specific areas, such as advertising, harassment etc. Part III lays down specific provisions as to equality between women and men, remuneration and promotes positive action on equal opportunities. Part IV concerns specific provisions as to equality between other categories of persons. Part V establishes Equality Authority. Part VII remedies and enforcement.