I should like to say a word on the Title. This is: "An Act to ensure equal treatment, in relation to certain terms and conditions of employment, between men and women employed on like work." There is no comparison whatsoever between the Short and Long Titles. In the amendment, just defeated, there was certainly an emphasis laid on the conditions of employment in the Long Title. The Bill, as going through now, is one of discrimination which the Minister has not taken the necessary steps to eliminate.
We have given the Minister every opportunity of undertaking to write into the Bill the necessary protection for the people who would be making claims. We find that a person making a claim, which he is duly entitled to under this Bill, can find himself out of employment as a result of that claim. This is discrimination against Irish workers and it is appalling. On Report Stage we will put down amendments to overcome this situation. We are sorry that the Minister has not given an undertaking to write complete anti-discrimination into this Bill. Workers are the losers in this case. It is unfortunate that Irish workers should be treated in this shabby manner. We will put down amendments to ensure that workers get adequate protection. The Minister and the Government have not seen fit to write such protection into this present Bill. It is a Bill which legislates for the sacking of workers and the loss of their employment.
