Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 12, lines 21 and 22, to delete "impose a disproportionate burden" and substitute "be grossly unreasonable".

On Second Stage I expressed concern about the language used in the Bill, which refers to burden, disruption and detriment. Those words should be eliminated from our vocabulary when we speak about people with disabilities. An employer should not be allowed to evade his or her responsibilities to facilitate people with disabilities merely because it is an inconvenience. The hurdle should be set higher than that and obligations of this nature should only be avoidable in cases where to impose them would be grossly unreasonable on the employer. I ask the Minister to consider accepting this amendment because otherwise we are leaving it open for employers to avoid their responsibilities.