Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I second the amendment. The spirit in which it is intended follows from the appalling situation at Portmarnock Golf Club, the venue for the Irish Open golf championship, where females cannot play. This event is being grant-aided by Bord Fáilte. The spirit of the amendment would ensure the practice is not permitted whereby a State authority would assist financially an organisation which, directly or indirectly, actively discriminates against women. The Minister, as a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, initiated the legislation referred to in the section which followed on from the good work done by his predecessor, Mervyn Taylor. This country has passed a record amount of equality legislation through both Houses, which is good in any democracy. I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment. The origins of the word "golf" lie in the statement, "Gentlemen only, ladies forbidden." The first letter of each word forms the word "golf".