Ireland: Government blocks Seanad move to protect gay workers from being fired

From The Irish Examiner:  http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/government-blocks-seanad-move-to-protect-gay-workers-from-being-fired-192605.html

By Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent
Thursday, May 03, 2012

A move to protect gay doctors and teachers from being fired due to their sexual orientation has been blocked by the Government.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter claimed Fianna Fáil senator Averil Power’s Employment Equality Bill may not have been able to pass "constitutional muster".

Ms Power said appropriate wording could have been worked out at committee stage, but the move was voted down.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network described the Government’s attitude as "very disappointing".

Ms Power told the Seanad provisions in law that could see schools, hospitals and other institutions sack staff because of their orientation "serve as a daily chill factor for gay lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people".

She warned the threat of sacking was real under a section of employment law that allows exemptions for religious, educational, or medical institutions which are under the direction or control of a body established for religious purposes.

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