Averil Power (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed by the Minister of State's reply. It is just common sense that if one is required to comply with something, one should be entitled to know what it is.As I have stated all along, the test for this legislation is whether it gives people the comfort to be free to be themselves and to know where the line is in the workplace, that is, if they are asked to respect something, they know what it is. People should be given sufficient clarity so that they need not live with fear, uncertainty or worry and they can get on with doing their jobs, which is what anyone wants to do, gay or straight, male or female, married or unmarried. The same applies in respect of faith and the other grounds set out in this legislation.

This is a straightforward amendment. Unfortunately, the Government will not accept it. It is probably the easiest to accept, given the fact that the Catholic church has placed a requirement on its schools to write down its ethos. I do not know why a teacher or potential employee should not be entitled to see that. For the purposes of this debate, I would like us to move on and get through the Bill, but it is important that we do this properly. People have been waiting a long time for this legislation and today is an opportunity to get it right, tighten its provisions and make it as strong as possible.

I have tabled amendments Nos. 5 and 8 to 10, inclusive.