Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator O'Toole for bringing to my attention this amendment, which seeks to avoid doubt. It is in line with section 9(5) of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001. This amendment is acceptable as it is considered appropriate that a comparator for a fixed-term employee should be of the same or opposite sex to such an employee. It also provides for consistency between this Bill and the 2001 Act. I accept the amendment.