Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2021-06-21
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Roderic O'Gorman (GP), Dublin West

I thank Senator Higgins. Like her, I have spoken to the FSU about this Bill. I met it a number of weeks ago and it is pleased to see it advanced. As the Senator said, her amendment addresses two issues, namely, information on the difference between males and females regarding shares as part of a remuneration package and tax relief as part of the SARP. I understand what she is seeking to achieve. It is very valid to raise concerns on those particular points. In terms of engaging with my officials, there are some issues, in particular where shares do not have a fixed value attached to them. The Bill is all about looking at the exact value of what is being proposed and how that fits in is tricky.
As the Senator pointed out, there is a provision on bonuses. Section 20A(1)(b)(iii) refers to the difference between the mean bonus remuneration of employees of the male gender and that of employees of the female gender as expressed as a percentage. In terms of the design of the regulations, we will engage with officials in my Department and the Department of Finance on how we can shape those regulations to seek to capture the points on shares and the special tax rate in respect of the bonus heading. I will endeavour to see what we can do when the regulations are being drafted.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:49:24+00:00
Sitting date: 2021-06-21