Welcoming yesterday's landmark judgement by the European Court of Justice Marian Harkin stated "that this judgement by Europe's highest Court has boosted the rights of millions of carers throughout the EU. The Court ruled that Sharon Coleman - a legal secretary wrongly suffered discrimination by association by her employer and that such treatment was contrary to what was laid down in EU law. Ms Coleman who is the primary carer for her disabled son was treated less favourably by her employer than other employees."

"There are more than 100 million Carers in the EU, and more than 150,000 family carers in Ireland - this judgement will now provide protection for all these carers who find themselves in similar circumstances. It is one of the first concrete steps taken by the EU that has secured protection for all those with caring responsibilities and it is now up to employers to support employees with caring responsibilities" stated Marian Harkin.

"Ireland will face many challenges in the coming years as a result of our ageing population which will lead to an increased number of people in need of care. This judgement will ensure that employers will have to alter the way that they treat employees with caring responsibilities."

As co-president of the European Parliament's Carers Interest Group, Marian Harkin called for the Irish Government, in the context of the upcoming Carers Strategy, to take note of the European Courts ruling and take further steps to ensure that Carers are supported, facilitated and recognised.