Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I come back to my earlier point that we are not entering this process in a de minimisway. We are seeking to be progressive and have broad regulations. I do not read the text to which the Senator refers as having a chilling effect. It is prudent to have a clause such as this. I certainly do not see it as one that will in any way limit our ambition to achieve pay equality between male and female employees.

The purpose of section 20A(2) is to ensure that when the Minister is making regulations, he or she has regard to the estimated costs of complying with and enforcing such regulations. If we were to add the phrase suggested by the Senator, it would imply that direct financial support was being provided by the Department for some or all elements of this. It opens up a very wide potential commitment and liability, perhaps, on the part of the Department.

We will obviously provide employers with very clear guidance and instruction as to how and when to calculate and report on their gender pay gap. However, we will not provide them with direct financial supports in respect of how they do that. As I noted, the Department will develop a website and there will be an information campaign. There will be substantial provision of information to employers, especially initially, as the legislation applies to various categories of employers. The current provision is prudent. I am concerned that the Senator's proposal would create an expectation of potentially significant financial help. I am not in a position to sign up to that at this point.