Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his very clear response and commitment to have the regulations introduced as swiftly as possible and without delay. I thank him for clarifying that. There has been a pattern at every stage of the debate on this Bill and when I brought my related legislation through the Seanad and my colleagues steered it through the Dáil.We have sought to work constructively with Government to bring forward the important principle that we would see gender pay gap reporting put in place. We put down the amendments with that intention. I must say that I thought others might have amendments down too but I am glad we put down amendments just to press the point about the need for urgency and the fact that across sectors there is readiness for this legislation. Indeed there is more than readiness. People are well prepared. This was the reason I raised the Commencement matter on 8 March. We certainly will be holding the Minister to account once the legislation is passed to ensure it is brought into effect as soon as possible. I take the Minister's point that he does not intend to see any delays on that. I will withdraw the amendment on that basis. I thank the Minister for his very clear response.