Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support the amendment and reiterate the points made by Senator O'Rourke. The fact that there is a lower fee for associate membership is not the issue. If money was the issue, Senator O'Rourke would not have taught in the school in Summerhill for one third less pay than her male counterpart, which was ridiculous. The marriage bar, which was only abolished in 1975, affected people like my mother. It was a disgrace to any society to allow such a bar, which is now absolutely unthinkable. Even though there was a marriage bar in 1974, there have been recent arguments about a glass ceiling which show there has been a seismic shift in the country. This is due to the former Minister for Equality and Law Reform and successive Ministers in that Department.

It is wonderful that the Seanad has given a lead with progressive equality legislation. I ask the Minister to consider the merits of Senator Henry's amendment. We must put down a marker. The Minister was responsible for the Equal Status Act, a wonderful Act, when Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and should accept the amendment, if possible.