Averil Power (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry. Senator Zappone and I have similar amendments, Nos. 5 and 10, respectively, on respect for an employee's privacy. I have tabled amendments on marriage and freedom of expression because I am concerned that the wording of the Bill is not sufficiently clear. While I appreciate that a certain conduct is required of employees or prospective employees where public institutions, albeit not private bodies, are concerned, this raises concerns about what type of conduct might be covered. In the US, for example, a teacher who was openly out in a religious school for years without any difficulty was discriminated against for getting married or wearing a wedding ring to school. The INTO's LGBT group has expressed concerns about the same happening in Ireland on the back of our beautiful decision in May to change our Constitution and introduce marriage equality. Teachers are concerned that, if a female teacher, for example, wears a ring into her classroom, is asked whether she got married and replies that she and Clare got married over the weekend or during the summer, this may be considered a form of conduct. Could the conversation, the wearing of the ring or anything related to the marriage arguably be a question of conduct? The Minister of State may believe it is not or that such protection is implicit in the Bill, but I am seeking for him to make it explicit, thereby making it clear that, from now on, no one can be discriminated against simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or for exercising a constitutional right to marry. This is the most basic measure that we are being asked to make, which is why I have tabled an amendment to that effect.

I have tabled a further amendment on-----