Dáil debates

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage

 

5:50 pm

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be able to speak on Second Stage of what is now known as the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. On thinking about what makes us human, it is when we talk about personal stories, that is, the things that happen outside of work and at the weekends. These are the things that fill the days of workers in staff rooms, break rooms and canteens nationwide. The thought that because of one's sexuality, because one's marriage had ended or because one had a child while unmarried, one might not feel comfortable in one's ability to talk about what is the monotony of life with one's colleagues for fear that one might put one's job or one's career prospects at risk is, in 2015, something that is a relic of the past. This is why I am so delighted this Bill has been brought before the House. It is worth noting the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the current Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, have been embarrassed in recent years to attend teacher conferences and to tell delegates they were sorry but this legislation still had not been passed. One must ask why this is the case and why there has been resistance to the amendments in this legislation. Although technical in nature, this Bill will be highly practical in its application and will make a real difference for real people.

There is a story with which I am familiar and about which the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, intended to speak this evening. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, section of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, to which reference has been made, has been working on this issue for many years. I understand President Higgins invited it to Áras an Uachtaráin, in a very proud moment, to acknowledge its work. However, to our shame, some of those teachers did not feel sufficiently comfortable to pose for a photograph with President Higgins for fear of retribution on their return to the staff-room the following Monday. This is outrageous and I am embarrassed this was how they felt. I am delighted this no longer will be the case when this legislation passes through the Dáil.

I often think about what it is to be in a relationship and about the kinds of things one does, often to the mortification of one's children, such as holding hands while walking down the street. However, for some people it is a political statement to hold the hand of their loved ones while walking down the street. It is outrageous that any teacher, nurse, doctor, social worker, care assistant, porter, secretary or whomsoever works in a hospital or a school should feel he or she cannot hold the hand of his or her loved one while walking down the street for fear of retribution. It is in respect of such things, which most of us take for granted, that this legislation will have a practical and real impact on people's lives. It also is worth thinking about what has happened under the aegis of the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the present Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in respect of the anti-bullying stance that has been taken for the first time. It is to make sure the tackling of homophobic and transphobic bullying is compulsory in all schools, because bullying on account of people's sexuality or because of how they are is too often allowed to fester. All Members know about getting in early when trying to tackle and change behaviour or attitudes, that is, when people are young and in school. Regardless of religious ethos, it now is compulsory for all schools to make sure that homophobic and transphobic bullying are tackled. This is an issue about which people have spoken for years but on which the present Government has delivered.

To echo the sentiments expressed by my colleague, Deputy Lyons, these changes are important because often the charge is levied upon Members of this House that society has moved on while the people here have not. I note this Bill was published almost three years ago and I would have very much liked to have had this Bill passed many years ago. It has been frustrating that it has taken until now to do it. That said, this will make a real difference to many people's lives and I hope there will be another reason for the aforementioned INTO members to be invited to Áras an Uachtaráin, where they will feel capable of stepping into a photograph with the President and for it to be shared across social media as a proud moment, as it would be for any member of society.

I will conclude by referring to another story, in which I understand that Newstalk, a national radio station, ran a competition to win a free wedding. Who would not want that prize, as they are costly matters? I understand the two women who won the competition could not publicly accept it because one of them was a teacher. This legislation will mean real changes for real people's lives.

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