Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 9, before section 5, to insert the following new section:

5.—The Act of 1998 is amended by inserting the following section after section 7:

'Equal Pay for Equal Work

7A. The Minister is committed to ensuring the adherence to, the application and enforcement of the principle of equal pay for equal work in all circumstances.' ".

This is meant to strengthen the section. As the Minister of State knows, there is an established principle of equal pay for equal work across the EU. There are no provisos involved. It is a very simple principle.

I spoke on Second Stage about secretarial staff members in Leinster House who sit beside one another and do not get equal pay for equal work. The Minister of State said then he would respond to me. I do not know if he has had an opportunity to look into this. The situation occurs in Leinster House and the Minister of Finance is responsible for it. We should not have pay inequality in any place where the same work is being done. I would like to see the Minister of State endorsing his commitment to equality. That is why I have tabled the amendment. I am concerned about a number of sections in the Bill which I feel will allow for discrimination, particularly section 24, to which I will return.

The amendment is meant to endorse the Government's commitment to equality. I accept the Minister of State may refer me to Government amendment No. 2 which allows for the insertion of "and, in Parts V and VI, includes prohibited conduct within the meaning of the Equal Status Act 2000". I wonder if the Minister of State will say that this covers the nine grounds of discrimination. We should endorse and confirm equality in all spheres of life with every opportunity we get.