Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will take up that challenge. Just in the past few months, we have introduced legislation around the gender pay gap and we are seeing that come into effect now. That will help us understand better what the gender pay gap is in businesses and organisations and how it can be closed. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is bringing legislation through at the moment on work-life balance, which will benefit men and women but will benefit women in particular. In addition, there will be a significant reduction in childcare costs in the new year, which will benefit families but will benefit women in particular and will help more women get back to the workplace sooner if they want to. This Government has a good record in advancing this agenda. The same applies to the representation of women on company boards, where we have gone from 15% to over 30% and are aiming for parity. This is an issue the Government will want to pursue in 2023 and 2024. We will certainly give early consideration to the recommendations. It will hopefully be possible to have a referendum next year but I do not want to make that firm commitment without consulting with the Government and the new Attorney General, once he or she takes office.

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