There is no question about the Minister's desire to put this legislation in place, but those of us who had the experience of speaking on the previous legislation quite some time ago are conscious of how delays can occur and official, bureaucratic and other processes can slow matters. It has been some time since we debated this legislation. It has been in the public realm and many businesses have been expecting and preparing for something to this effect. It gives businesses a predictability and an ability to plan if…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, line 21, to delete “as soon as is reasonably practicable after” and substitute “within three months of”. I am hopeful the Minister will publish almost exactly on the three-month deadline. It sounds like what I put forward.

I support the amendments from Senators Warfield and Bacik. Their amendments are coming at the same issue. This is about specifically addressing the issue of part-time employees and Senator Bacik’s amendment looks at hourly remuneration. Senator Warfield’s amendment looks at the flexible working hours contract. Having sat on the employment committee in the last Oireachtas, I am very aware of non-fixed hour contracts and the particular vulnerability and preponderance of women who tend to be on part-time or non-fixed …

To address the Minister's direct question, there is a difference between my amendment and the provision in subsection 9 in that section 20A(9)(a)(iii) is in respect of temporary contracts whereas my amendment is more in respect of contracted services. It is just a slightly different issue as it is with regard to services that are contracted and not people on short-term or temporary contracts. As has been mentioned, it is with regard to agency workers or others who might be providing contracted services. I understan…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “(vii) the difference between the median hourly renumeration of persons contracted for services by a company or a public body of the male gender and that of persons contracted for services by a company or a public body of the female gender expressed as a percentage;”.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 4, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(viii) the percentage of all employees of the male gender who received shares as part of a renumeration package and the percentage of all employees of the female gender who received the same form of renumeration;”. In these amendments we move on from the most vulnerable workers, who are often those on non-fixed hour or flexible contracts, and sometimes part-time contracts. Quality part-time work is and should be an option. Unfortu…

I accept that there is potential to address this in the regulations. More than bonuses, it probably involves remuneration in kind in terms of the definition. This is where the regulations will be very important. They are also important on another level because certain kinds of remuneration have a very clear financial component, for example, shares. On the other end of the scale, childcare access, for example, could be marked as benefit-in-kind because certain areas have values placed on them even though they are no…

In that context, I will withdraw the amendment while reserving the right to reintroduce it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(viii) the percentage of all employees of the male gender who are in receipt of tax relief as part of the Special Assignee Relief Programme and the percentage of all employees of the female gender who are in receipt of tax relief as part of the same;”.

I move amendment No. 12: In page 4, line 37, after “regulations” to insert “and will outline such supports as may be offered for the same”. On amendment No. 10, putting a side clause into brackets is something I always resist. Now that it has been opened as a possibility, I will be able to get more elaborate in my future amendments. It opens up all kinds of new versions of amendments. I am noting it for future reference. With amendment No. 12, I am a little concerned there might be a bit of a chilling effect or per…

I thank the Minister for his answer. I accept his argument in respect of the language I have proposed. As it could create an ambiguity, I will withdraw the amendment, although I am still not reassured as to the absence of a chilling effect. As I said, I sat for five years on the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I am well aware that every time an additional level of work or compliance is required, a strong lobby is made for cost being a reason for delay, a lowering of ambition or a curtai…

As I understand this grouping of amendments, there are several issues pushed together. I will address just two of them in the context of smaller companies. It is an issue if almost half of the employees in the State are not going to be captured in this legislation when we consider smaller companies. This is a concern. Again, it is a matter of trying to look at what the patterns are for how this can be addressed and the ways it could be addressed. It may be that not all of the provisions would apply to those compani…

I move amendment No. 16: In page 5, to delete lines 1 and 2 and substitute “the 1st anniversary of the commencement of this section.”.

I move amendment No. 18: In page 5, to delete lines 3 to 6.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 5, line 8, to delete “or (c)”.

This is about specificity. It is worth remembering that when we pass legislation to allow for regulations to be made, that represents the Oireachtas giving power to the Minister and that is one of those key provisions. This is us giving power to the Minister in respect of regulations. It is power that is held within the Oireachtas that is transferred to the Minister almost on trust of delivery of certain pieces. In being asked to transfer those powers in respect of regulations, we are doing so on the understanding …

There is some correspondence between this amendment and mine on contracted services and who is considered an employee. It is an attempt to provide clarity in that issue.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 5, line 29, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”. I reserve the right to reintroduce this on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 30: In page 7, line 15, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”. I reserve the right to reintroduce this on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 7, line 21, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”. I reserve the right to reintroduce this on Report Stage.