Seanad debates

Monday, 5 July 2021

Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages

 

10:30 am

Photo of Mary Seery KearneyMary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has made all the relevant points. To have a threshold of fewer than 20 employees at this point would be unduly onerous. It is not necessary just now. Having said that, it will be a very valuable aspect to examine in the four-year review of the legislation and how it is rolling out. I reassure Senator Byrne that the Employment Equality Act 1998 does not allow any discrimination on the basis of gender. Equally, given that there is a greater prevalence of part-time work among women, the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 instituted a requirement that part-time workers be given all the same conditions as full-time employees. That protection has is also in place. The thrust of this Bill is to ensure transparency and the publication of information by larger companies, rather than to undermine or embellish what is already a requirement and well rehearsed in all employment forums as a protection for female workers.

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