Opposition deputies have suggested that a referendum should be held to allow the Government introduce more effective equality legislation. Ms Jan O'Sullivan (Labour, Limerick East) said "serious consideration to changing the Constitution should be given if we can find no better safeguards" than the wording of the Employment Equality Bill, 1997.
She said the Bill, whose predecessor was judged unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, is "inadequate" in the area of protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
She disputed the view held by Ms Mary Wallace, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that constitutionally employers can be expected to pay only "nominal" costs when facilitating a disabled worker.
"If the Minister is really that constrained we should acknowledge that the Constitution is not an adequate framework in which to construct the kind of society we want for the 21st century and we should propose to the people of Ireland that it be amended."
In a second-stage debate on the Bill, the Democratic Left spokesman on education, Mr Eamon Gilmore, said the Bill in its present form was "a sham" as it legalises discrimination on grounds of age, disability, religion and nationality.
