David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I oppose this Bill, as it is a load of nonsense. The insurance market depends on the calculation of actuarial risk. Women comprise a distinct group and carry a particular actuarial risk. It is perfectly appropriate that insurance companies deal with them in that manner. The same applies to young people, although it may be unfortunate for the good drivers within that group. As that is how insurance works, this legislation is complete and utter nonsense.

The legislation is also contradictory. The Minister of State indicated gender-specific insurance groups and we are catering for gender specificity in that regard. This legislation derives from the European Union. Just because it behaves in a nonsensical way, we are coerced into doing so. This is direct rule by European Union. I hope there will be a vote and look forward to voting against the Bill for the reasons outlined. It is political correctness gone mad.

On road safety, I commend Gay Byrne and Mr. Brett on the wonderful job they have done. I sat in this House while the Senator next to me on the university benches derided Gay Byrne. That was in a previous parliament. Gay Byrne as done a wonderful job. It may seem silly, but even on his Sunday radio programme he affects the consciousness of people on this issue. He constantly reminds them of the issues. It is wonderful our road fatality statistics have dropped as they have. The crucial issue is that we must watch to ensure insurance premiums reduce, and we will be forced to do this by Europe. It would not be appropriate that on the basis of a ruling such as this, insurance companies would make a profit.

When I saw the words "equal status (amendment) in the title of this Bill, I thought this was good and that the Government was at last going to do something about the exemption of the churches in the operation of equality legislation. That would be interesting. Will the Minister of State bring that message to the Government? It is nonsense that we exempt religious bodies so that they can, for example, fire people from schools. They have not done that, but they can do it. That is a real equality issue, particularly with regard for jobs paid for by taxpayers.

I am also interested in the question of marriage equality. We had a nonsensical -----