Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 4, line 32, to delete "(if any)".

This amendment might be referred to as a technical amendment but its purpose is to address a particular instance of the language used in the Bill. It is extremely important that any vague language be removed and the onus be firmly placed on employers to reduce gender pay gaps within their organisations. I reiterate that this legislation is a step in the right direction and an important measure. However, we must do everything we can to strengthen it and get it exactly right, rather than just having a box-ticking exercise. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case with a lot of measures, particularly those that affect women.

We are discussing these provisions at almost 11 p.m. at night. When we had a debate some weeks ago on International Women's Day, it was one of the matters of business at the very bottom of the agenda on a Thursday evening. If this House is serious about dealing with issues that affect women, we need to put those issues properly on the agenda. There is no point in asking us to make submissions on family-friendly practices in the Houses of the Oireachtas when debates in the House on issues affecting women are pushed out almost to midnight.

11 o’clock

We are just as guilty of ticking the box as other organisations. I just wanted to make that point.

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