Bill to close Gender Pay Gap already in the Oireachtas

Labour Seanad Leader, Senator Ivana Bacik has reminded the Government that there is already a bill progressing through the Oireachtas that can quickly be passed to kick start efforts to close the gender pay gap.

Senator Bacik said:

"With much fanfare the Government has spun out this May Day bank holiday that it will soon approve draft legislation to introduce gender pay gap reporting.

"However, the Labour Party introduced a bill to achieve the same objective as the Government is now seeking, over a year ago in the Seanad, and it has passed committee stage, and awaiting report and final stages that will allow it to move to the Dáil.

"There is nothing stopping the Government, if it is truly serious about this issue from progressing our bill without delay, and bringing forward any amendments it desires to that bill.

"The reporting proposals have been introduced in many other countries, including the UK. Ireland is well behind now on this issue, and it's time for swift action, that instead of doubling up, recognises the Bill already passing through the Oireachtas."