Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 3, line 25, to delete "him" and substitute "the person".

This issue was also raised in the Dáil. The Labour Party feels that any new legislation should refer to both genders. I am aware that the Minister argued in the Dáil that the interpretation of legislation allows for the term "he" to be interpreted as "he" or "she". This is new legislation and from now we should not refer solely to "he". Legislation should be gender-proofed and this is the way to do it. The amendment deliberately does not refer to "he" or "she" in deference to maintaining the drafting conventions of the principal 1960 Act. However, it is correct at this stage to use terms such as "the person" instead of "he". I am interested in the Minister's response.