Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairperson and welcome him to his new role as Chair of the Seanad. It is a good day to take over, when we are passing this important Bill. I thank the Minister for his efficient steering of the Bill through the legislative process and for his courteous and full responses. It has been good to work with him and with all colleagues in the House on this important legislation. It is four years since the Labour Party introduced the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017 in the Seanad. It is an important issue for many women and men across the country because it is one way in which women's rights are not adequately recognised and in which we fall short of equal standards in the workplace. That is bad for women and men alike. We have waited for a long time to see this important measure come into effect. I welcome its passage today. I am glad to be here to move amendments which seek to strengthen the legislation and also to highlight the points that we have discussed this afternoon, to ensure that the Bill is treated with urgency and that we see it being brought into effect as swiftly as possible after its passage. I thank my colleague, Senator Boyhan, for seconding the amendments and for his kind words. It is nice to hear those before I return to the streets of Dublin Bay South.