Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

While I support the principles behind the Bill, as it is currently drafted, it may not capture the broad nature and use of non-disclosure agreements that has come to light in the research carried out by my Department. The proposals, as drafted, may limit the ability of an employee to negotiate a settlement where sexual harassment or discrimination has occurred. For this reason, I will bring forward amendments proposing to amend or substitute sections 1 to 5. I will also bring forward amendments to section 14B(6), as inserted by section 2 of the Bill, for the substitution or deletion of the subsection as the nature of "an offence" under the provisions of the Bill requires further elaboration. I also intend to amend section 14B(8), as inserted by section 2, because legal or practical issues may arise from the provisions under this subsection. I also intend to bring amendments to section 14B(9), (10) and (11), as inserted by section 2, because these subsections may require technical amendments flowing from other amendments proposed under this section. I also propose the amendment or deletion of section 14B(12), as inserted by section 2, because this issue may be better dealt with under section 1.