EU Will Not Press Claim Against Ireland's Employment Law Exemptions

According to Sunday's Dublin Independent, the president of the European Union Commission has announced that the EU will not pursue a case against Ireland's religious organizations exemption from its equal opportunity laws. Earlier this year, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla, had issued "reasoned opinions"-- the second step in the enforcement process-- against 10 EU states, including Ireland, for failing to properly implement the EU's Employment Directive. (ESAEO Press Release). The EU had charged that Ireland's Equality Acts 2000-2004 created too broad an exemption from the EU directive's ban on religious discrimination. The EU had particularly objected to the provision in Irish law permitting a religious organization to reject applicants who could harm the organization's religious ethos. (CI News, Feb. 22, 2008) Apparently the EUs decision not to proceed with enforcement is an attempt to assuage Irish feelings before a crucial referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]