THE hearing of a case to test the constitutionality of the Employment Equality Bill was fixed yesterday by the Supreme Court for April 29th.
The Bill is designed to prevent discrimination in employment, but schools and privately-run hospitals are exempt in certain circumstances where it is considered necessary to protect the ethos of their institutions.
The three teaching trade unions are objecting to the exemption provisions of the Bill.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice Hamilton, yesterday announced the names of the legal teams to argue against the constitutionality of the Bill: Mr Eoin McGonigal SC, Ms, Fidelma Macken SC, Mr Felix McEnroy, counsel, and Mr Paul Gardiner, counsel, instructed by the President of the Law Society, Mr Frank Daly.
Arguments for its constitutionality will be made by Ms Mary Finlay SC, Mr Diarmaid McGuinness SC, Mr Gerard Hogan, counsel, and Mr Maurice Collins, counsel, on behalf of the Attorney General.
The Bill was referred to the Supreme Court under section 26 of the Constitution by the President, Mrs Robinson, following consultation with the Council of State. The court has 60 days from the date of referral - April 3rd last - to give its decision.