Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It seems as if we are just going backwards and forwards, agreeing with Deputy Ó Caoláin' s points. I acknowledge the Equal Status Act exists and that it ensures we cannot be discriminatory to any section of society, and that is only right and proper. This legislation would be enhanced, however, if it were clearly and explicitly marked out that the agency in the performance of its functions "shall have regard to the principles of equality and non-discrimination". That gives a clear and explicit meaning about what the agency can and cannot do. The agency will have to deal with families and people in society from a diverse background, whether they are young, old, black, white, ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, Travellers, or whatever. It is only right and proper to have this marked out in the legislation from day one. I support Deputy Ó Caoláin' s point and I fail to see why we would not have this outlined explicitly, bearing in mind the existing Equal Status Act.