Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 46, line 15, after "his" to insert "or her".

This amendment seeks to include both genders in the Bill. The Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, said previously that he was advised by the parliamentary draftspeople to leave the wording as it is in the parent Bill. This amendment will not impact on the parent Bill. The parent Bill could have a reference to the word "his" with the interpretive legislation having this mean "his or her". We could also have the new reference to "his or her", as per our amendment, with the two formats coexisting. I would like to hear the Minister's thoughts on why he feels he should not accept our amendment.