Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the significance of this legislation as it passes its final Stage in the Dáil. It will be sent to the President for signature. Pay transparency on its own will not end the pay disparity between men and women but it is an important further step on the road to equality. This Bill will provide transparency and accountability for employees. It will demand of employers real and substantive action to reduce any gender pay disparity that exists in their organisation and help ensure workplaces become more equal.

Most organisations want to be better employers. This legislation can support them in reporting their gender pay gap data, understanding it and, most important, taking measures to address it. Women have taken the lead in demanding equality but the onus cannot just be on individual women to force these changes. The Government has to play a key role in creating a more equal society and economy.

We will continue to support women in the labour market, whether by way of my Department improving the affordability of childcare, extending breastfeeding breaks, increasing parental leave and introducing paid domestic violence leave or by wider moves to create a more flexible work week. After 18 months of working at home, we have a chance to radically reimagine what work looks like and for whom it works. My Department and the Government will continue that work. We have a strong equality agenda, as set out in the programme for Government. We have achieved a significant part of that agenda today by passing the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019. I look forward to bringing more progressive legislation forward in the next Dáil term.

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