Gender Equality
Seanad Éireann — 2021-03-08
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Roderic O'Gorman (GP), Dublin West

I will consider all amendments proposed in the legislative process, as I always try to do. We are bringing a number of changes to the Bill and having examined the original draft, I believe, they will strengthen it. In particular, we intend to introduce a mechanism for an earlier review. I understand the review period in the current draft is after five years and I intend to shorten that. There is always a balance to be struck between giving legislation some time to demonstrate its strengths and potential weaknesses and not leaving it too long.
Five years is probably a little bit on the long side for a review period so that is certainly one element I am looking at. I am also looking at the role and powers of remedy of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, which are important as well. Obviously I do not want to go into huge detail until I have discussed this with Cabinet colleagues but I will look at amendments from across the House on that as well.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2021-03-08/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:49:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2021-03-08