Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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769. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to progress the Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021 through the Houses of the Oireachtas; if he will provide a timeline for the implementation of the recommendations detailed in the report on the prevalence and use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes; and his plans to promote transparency in addressing discrimination and ensuring that cases of harassment and sexual harassment do not remain concealed. [54894/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the use of non-disclosure agreements by employers in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination. The Department invited written submissions to a public consultation on the review of equality legislation in 2021, and these submissions are currently being analysed by officials in the Department. It is hoped that a report on the submissions will be ready for publication before the end of the year.

Issues that were raised in Senator Ruane's Private Member's Bill, the Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreement) Bill 2021, are also being carefully considered as part of the review along with the recommendations detailed in the report on the prevalence and use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes, that was carried out by my Department. 

Legislative proposals that arise out of the review of the Equality Acts will be brought forward in 2023.  However, the nature of these proposals will be dependent on the issues raised in the consultation process as well as on further research.