Portmarnock case may affect other golf clubs

At least a dozen golf clubs may have to change their membership policies if a test case against banning women members succeeds in court.

The Equality Authority has received 16 complaints of gender discrimination against different clubs, excluding Portmarnock golf club which the body is taking to court for its men-only membership policy.

Most of the complaints relate not to an outright ban on women membership but to the terms and conditions of such membership, access to bars and difficulties for women in transferring from associate to full membership.

It is understood there is only one golf club other than Portmarnock which operates a men-only membership policy - Royal Dublin on neighbouring Bull Island in north Co Dublin.

Mr Niall Crowley, chief executive of the authority, said the outcome of the Portmarnock case "would have implications" for other clubs.

However, "the focus in all instances is to reach settlements outside of court", something which had not been possible in the Portmarnock case.

The decision to seek a determination in the District Court on the legality of Portmarnock's membership policy has been welcomed by the National Women's Council of Ireland. Its chairwoman, Ms Gráinne Healy, said: "Despite months of media coverage and discussion on the issue, the club has not sought to move into the 21st century and provide access to its club for men and women as full equal members."

She also renewed her criticism of the allocation of public funds to the four-day Bord Fáilte-sponsored Nissan Irish Open, which opens at Portmarnock on July 24th.

The Equality Authority said the exclusion of women from golf club memebership "denies them access to the benefits that flow from membership. Such benefits are not only recreational but are also social and economic given the networks that open up for full members."

In a statement, the club said it had been advised that its rules did not contravene the terms of the Equal Status Act, 2000.

However, to "establish precisely its position" it had initiated proceedings in the High Court, whose decision on the matter it "looks forward to".

Founded in 1894, the club has 1,200 members, including prominent figures in sporting, business and legal fields.

By virtue of her office, the President, Mrs McAleese, was offered honorary membership. However, she turned it down "because she does not play golf" and not for any other reason, said a spokeswoman for the President.

If the District Court finds Portmarnock in breach of section 8 of the Act, the club will be refused a licence to sell alcohol for 30 days. A second or subsequent determination that the club is discriminating will result in an indefinite alcohol licence refusal.