The vice-president of SIPTU, Jack O'Connor, pointed out that the measures provided for in the new Bill will improve the circumstances of working people at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives – when they are faced with redundancy. The current legislation has been criticised as going against the spirit of the Employment Equality Act 1998, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of age. As section 17(4) of the 1998 Act specifically excludes the age-related provisions in the redundancy Acts, the distinction between the service of those under the age of 41 and those over that age is being abolished. This reform marks a positive and progressive step to support all those faced with the uncertainty of redundancy and unemployment.