Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are having these longer speeches because the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission designate has put out a report. It is in some ways its first piece of work related to legislation and I acknowledge the leadership of Mr. Brian Merriman and all of the staff. We should keep up momentum.

I agree with Senator Bacik and on reading the report I believe the body is calling on us to be technically correct and clear around two primary issues concerning the religion ground, and there may be some discriminatory treatment allowed on the basis of religious ethos, and only regarding a genuine occupational requirement relating to that ground. That is as I read the report and how I was following the issue in terms of advice received. I put forward amendments that tried to follow the EU framework, and that is why some amendments must try to do this. It is important for us to be aware of these issues.

I like the idea of a committee considering the matter, although it should not be a long or extensive process. If representatives of IHREC came before the committee, it would be interesting for us to tease out issues in creating Report Stage amendments. It was not always clear to me where the various submissions fed into this opinion, so such a process could be helpful.

I would be especially pleased to hear about some of the thinking behind the amendments tabled by Senator Averil Power on Committee Stage that might perhaps dovetail with the opinion coming from the Commission in order that we can move on and reach Report Stage.