Equal Status Act, 2000

References of certain matters to Director.

23.—(1) Where it appears to the Authority that—

(a) prohibited conduct—

(i) is being generally directed against persons, or

(ii) has been directed against a person who has not made a claim under section 21 (1) in respect of the prohibited conduct and it is not reasonable to expect that the person will do so,

or

(b) a person has contravened or is contravening section 12 (1) or 19 or regulations made under section 17 or 18,

the matter may be referred by the Authority to the Director.

(2) Where a matter is referred to the Director under subsection (1) it shall be dealt with in the same manner and to the same extent as if—

(a) it were a claim referred to the Director under section 21 (1),

(b) the Authority were the complainant and the person alleged to have engaged in the prohibited conduct or to have committed the contravention referred to in subsection (1)(b), as the case may be, were the respondent, and

(c) where the matter involved a contravention referred to in subsection (1)(b), the contravention were prohibited conduct.

(3) Where, on application to the High Court or the Circuit Court, the Authority satisfies the Court that the Director, pursuant to section 25 (4) , has decided that a person has—

(a) engaged in prohibited conduct, or

(b) contravened section 12 (1) or 19 or regulations made under section 17 or 18,

and that there is a likelihood of a further occurrence of the prohibited conduct or a further contravention by the person, the Court may grant an injunction or such other relief as the Court deems necessary to prevent the further occurrence or contravention.