Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the members of the committee for their contributions, both in the Dáil and at this committee. I wish to acknowledge all of the assistance we have been given and the work undertaken by members of the new human rights commission and the Equality Authority and by those who were on the working group which assisted in the creation of this legislation and addressed various issues which we touched on today. I wish to mention that I will be bringing forward an amendment on Report Stage to make the director the Accounting Officer for the commission's Vote. This had already been agreed with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as has the creation of a separate Vote for the commission which is important because that will make it clear how much money is being allocated to the human rights and equality commission annually, rather than it being subsumed within other allocations that go to the Department of Justice and Equality. This amendment will further underpin the commission's independence. I would also like to give formal notice that I may bring forward several other amendments. There may be an amendment to section 10(1) following our debate on amendment No. 4 relating to paragraph (e) of that subsection. In section 29 on page 22, "equality remuneration term" should read "equal remuneration term" but there is a typographical error.

I will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage to correct this. I also thank the Irish Council for Civil Liberties for bringing to my attention this particular point. The ICCL also has suggested that the title of Part 3 be changed from "Enforcement" to "Enforcement and Compliance", as better reflecting the substance of Part 3. This also is a suggestion I will take on board on Report Stage. While I am informed it does not need a formal amendment, I will take it on board. Amendments also may be brought forward to sections 34 and 36 in respect of the periods of time referred to, following and subject to further consultation my Department is undertaking with the Equality Tribunal. I am anxious to ensure that any concerns that have arisen in that context will be met.

I wished formally to put members on notice and again will conclude by thanking them. I apologise to the Chairman for being late on the previous day. I was meeting an individual with an issue, of whom some members are aware, who has experienced difficult and stressful circumstances in life. It started later than anticipated because I was delayed in the House on a Topical Issue matter and I wished to give it as much time as was appropriate and not to cut it short. I apologise for being late for that meeting and I thank the Chairman and members for agreeing to reschedule the meeting so rapidly to this afternoon.