Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We support the Bill. We know it seeks to end the possibility of discrimination by religious institutions on the grounds set out in equality legislation. As a republican party, we are committed to seeing discrimination particularly in our public services come to an end. Over the course of this Dáil, similar legislation proposed in the Seanad in 2012 was rejected by the Government. I welcome that the Minister of State has expressed support for the spirit of the legislation.

The current exemption clause in the legislation is quite odious and essentially allows an employer to apply discrimination. Section 37(1) of the Act provides for exemptions for religious orders for the purpose of discrimination. The House widely agrees that section should be removed or replaced in that it is not representative of the spirit of society and the recent success of the legislation. The proposed legislation would introduce a new section 37(1). We welcome the idea of having favourable treatment and eliminating the clause of actively discriminating based on the grounds set out in the equality legislation.

There is a significant challenge. GLEN and the teachers' unions that have been involved in the campaign to date have made an incredible effort to get to this juncture. I acknowledge the dedication, commitment and above all the actions of everybody in the House who is prepared to vote for the Bill. I also acknowledge the trade union organisation and GLEN for their civic leadership in this respect.

Freedom of religion is an important constitutional value and one that we, as a party, respect. However, religion should not be used as an opportunity to permit discrimination, particularly when it comes to employment. It is unacceptable that the current legislation would target a small minority of people to be effectively discriminated against. Irrespective of the workplace, surely the ethos of the workplace should be about acknowledging people's differences and providing an opportunity to work with respect and in a harmonious environment.

I appreciate that there are concerns over the constitutional aspect of it. The test of the Oireachtas when it faces such legislation is to preserve the balance between the right of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs and maintain its own institutions for religious purposes, and the rights of citizens to have equality under the law.

I welcome the Bill, which will have our support. I acknowledge the commitment of the Minister of State in this respect to ensure everybody on that side of the House will wholeheartedly support the legislation when the decision comes to the House in the next 24 hours. Well done.

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