Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I echo what Senator Pauline O'Reilly said, that this is important and an achievement. It is important to have priorities in government and it is satisfying to get things over the line. Well done to all involved. While the Minister could not accept all the amendments today, I understand that it is important that he makes his case, but I also like the fact that he gives people an opportunity. I do not like the word "reject". I have said that to a number of Ministers when they suggest to the House that they might reject amendments. It is the Minister's proposal and he does not want to change it. It is a word that I would like to caution any Minister about. The House decides. I do not suggest that the Minister does not respect that because of course he does. I thank him because he is always courteous, always listens, and he sets out his rationale and reasoning behind why he might not be in a position to accept an amendment. He made a good case today. I acknowledge that and thank those involved in the passage of this important legislation. This is what we are primarily about. We are about legislation and policy. It is political, not personal.

I thank Senator Bacik for sticking with this for so many years. As Senator Seery Kearney said, we have much more work to do. Let us not sit on our laurels now that we have passed legislation. We have a hell of a lot of work to do on pay and gender equality. That must permeate through every part of our process, thinking and actions in these Houses. I thank the Minister and all the Senators involved in this debate.