John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions. I agree with most of what has been said. It is true that there should not be discrimination against women in any form. It is also true that there should not be discrimination against women in the rules of any club. I fully concur with that.

I know a good deal more about this than people might realise. My late mother, having become a member of Kerry County Council after my father's death in 1964, was involved in politics at a time when such involvement was not fashionable. Together with the wonderful former Senator and Deputy for Kerry North, Kit Ahern, she was one of only two women ever to serve as chairperson of Kerry County Council. She was also the first woman president of a chamber of commerce. I understand the position and I fully appreciate what has been said.

When we introduced the Employment Equality Act and the Equal Status Act, the linchpin of both was that there would not be discrimination on grounds of gender. That was made perfectly clear and, happily, that is the case today. It has led to a position where only two golf clubs, which is regrettable, exclude women from being members. As Senator O'Rourke so eloquently said, it is not a micro issue but a macro issue. I fully subscribe to that view.