Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus ba mhaith liom fáilte an-mhór a chur roimh an mBille iontach tábhachtach seo agus comhghairdeachas a dhéanamh le duine ar bith a raibh baint nó pairt acu, ní hamháin leis an mBille ach leis an bhfeachtas a chuaigh roimhe, nó a chuir leis an ndíospóireacht seo ar bhealach ar bith.

In a previous life I was a television producer and director, and I worked on the soap "Ros na Rún" in the opening days. One of the best publicity experiences we had came when we introduced to the show a gay couple called Tom and Jack, who had the first gay kiss on an Irish soap. A local principal told all the children at the school to stop watching that smut on TG4, which was Teilifís na Gaeilge at the time, and our ratings went through the roof. I am very proud of the time we spent on "Ros na Rún" as we did much work on having the gay couple of Tom and Jack as a normal couple within a soap scenario, which did not always have to go on about gay issues. They were a normal couple and their inclusion was a significant step forward for Irish television. I am very proud of my involvement in that.

This Bill is very important and on behalf of the Sinn Féin Seanad team, I commend Senators Bacik and Moran for bringing it forward, as well as all the Deputies in the Labour Party who were involved in its development. I recognise the role of Senator Power in pioneering this area. My party colleague, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, brought forward a similar Bill in the Dáil. I also recognise the work done by individuals and organisations for many years in trying to get this type of Bill brought forward. I am happy to say the Bill has Sinn Féin's full and enthusiastic support.

It is a testament to how much Irish society has changed that Senators are queuing up to outdo each other in publishing anti-discrimination Bills. That is good, and long may it be that all political parties, whether in the Government or in the Opposition, see it as a duty to change the law to ensure that no person is denied any aspect of rights because of race, class, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation. Sinn Féin is a party with a profound belief in the importance of equality, not only in opportunity but in condition. I echo the comments of Senator Barrett about how much has been done in the Six Counties with regard to equality, with this type of legislation being introduced there for many years. The right to work and secure employment free from discrimination is fundamental to equality of condition because without work one is left without the financial means to vindicate so many other rights.

Speaking specifically to Senator Bacik's Bill, I echo the Labour leader's comments on the need to remove those aspects of section 37 of the Employment Act 1988 that facilitate discrimination, particularly against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, LGBT, people in working in religious-run institutions such as schools and hospitals. The Senator is right that the existing legislation allows for discrimination against members of the LGBT community and against lone parents or others on the spurious grounds that the employers want to protect the religious ethos of the schools. The days for this kind of discrimination are over and this Bill must become law.