Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I recognise that amendments Nos. 32 and 33 aim to achieve gender equality within the commission and I thank the Senators for those amendments. One of my key goals since becoming a member of Government has been to further gender equality within every sector under my remit. I am absolutely committed to empowering women and using my position to help raise women's voices and drive greater gender equality. Of particular relevance to these benefits have been my actions to ensure gender equality in the appointment to the State boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department. Senators will appreciate that I understand the objectives that the amendments seek to achieve.

However, there is a difference between ensuring a gender balance in sports bodies where typically a number of board positions are filled at the same time as opposed to advertising individual commissioner posts for full-time employment where the provisions of employment law apply. There would be some risks there. Before considering the amendments further, I wish to seek legal advice as to the compatibility of the proposed amendments with the Employment Equality Acts, 1998 and 2015, particularly the provisions of the Acts that prohibit the treatment of people less favourably if one is a woman and one is a man. I do not want to insert anything in the Bill that would be contrary to employment law and, therefore, I would like to get legal advice. While I do not accept these amendments, I hope to return to this issue on Report Stage following that consultation.