Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage

 

It is with a very heavy heart that I call a division. I ask Members to vote on this Bill and ensure it goes through to the next Stage. We can argue about language at that point. We change legislation in here every day of the week; we agree in principle on Second Stage and then argue about language on Committee Stage. I ask colleagues to please put aside party differences. If they genuinely support the principle of this legislation, I ask them to put aside their differences and support it. We will not bring this Bill back on Committee Stage until work has been done on the legal side and elsewhere in terms of the wording of changes and until Members on all sides of the House are happy for it to proceed. I ask Senators to send out a message to all the groups that are here, the people who are watching at home and the people who have been in touch with me every day of the week for the last two months. Let us send a message that we understand the urgency of this, that we understand that from April to January is too long, and that we are starting this process today. We do not know where it will end up - we might end up with a very different wording from Senator Zappone or others on Committee Stage - but please, let us start. I do not want to put this on pause for the next few months. Let us send out a clear message that we are going to support this today. I regret that I will have to put this to a vote because I was hoping we could avoid it by saying we would accept amendments on Committee Stage. It is too important, because many people are relying on us to make a decision today. That is why I have to put it to a vote. I am genuinely sorry; I had hoped I would not have to.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.