Amendment No. 1 is out of order as it was not tabled on Committee Stage.
Private Members' Business. - Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill, 1997: Report and Final Stages.
Acting Chairman
Amendment No. 1 not moved.
I move amendment No. 2:
In page 3, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:
"2. — Section 13 of the Irish Film Board Act, 1980, is hereby amended by the deletion of the word "chairman" wherever it occurs and the substitution therefor of the word "chairperson", and references elsewhere in that Act to the chairman of the Board shall be construed as references to the chairperson of the Board. ".
This amendment proposes to amend the Irish Film Board Act, 1980, to replace the sexist word "chairman" with the word "chairperson", the term we have become used to in the past decade or so. The Irish terminology "cathaoirleach", used at local government level, avoids the sexist bias of the words in the vernacular. This is a simple amendment to change that word in this language and to make it clear that the term should be "chairperson".
I support this monumental amendment, which I am sure the Minister will accept.
I thought the Deputy had difficulties with it.
This amendment was tabled on Committee Stage and was not accepted. I understand the general philosophy behind the amendment tabled by Deputies Higgins and Broughan and supported by Deputy Kenny. We do not want our legislation to be sexist. The Government is committed to the principle of enshrining gender neutral language in all new principal legislation. I am happy to give a commitment tonight that all new principal legislation introduced by me will be gender neutral. The Deputies will also be aware from Committee Stage that the Government decision of 27 October l993 stated that all future legislation will, as far as possible, be gender neutral. That covers legislation from l993 onwards. Section 11(b) of the Interpretation Act, l937 provides that "every word importing the masculine gender shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as if it has also imported the feminine". I am well aware that section 13 of the Irish Film Board Act, l980, which deals with the appointment of the chairman of the board, uses the word "chairman". The Interpretation Act, l937, makes it clear that the term "chairman" could mean male or female. I am sure Deputies realise it would be difficult to change all legislation up to l993. A large body of legislation was enacted by the Oireachtas prior to the Government decision of l993 and the burden of updating it would deflect from existing resources dealing with substantive legislation on an ongoing basis. I hope Deputies accept that practical difficulty. The spirit of their amendment is covered in the Interpretation Act, l937 and a commitment has been given regarding new legislation. We will also honour the l993 commitment.
The Minister stated that, in effect, we would have to amend all legislation up to l993. It is extraordinary that in l980, not too long ago, Mr. Haughey did not regard a sexist approach to legislation as unacceptable. While I accept the general tenor of the Minister's remarks, this is an opportunity to remedy the matter.
This debate began when chairpersons of committees were principally of the male gender and women rightly got involved in organisations and politics and took up chairmanships. People began to object vociferously to the word "chairman" being applied to a woman who chaired a meeting or an organisation. It is a pity section 11(b) of the l937 Act was not bandied around more often at that time because I am not sure if the people who started this argument accepted that the term "chairman" in that Act was gender neutral. People do not believe the Interpretation Act, 1937 equates man with woman in a chairing capacity. The spirit of this amendment arises because when women rightly began to take up office and chair important meetings in business, social services, politics and so on they did not want to be referred to as "Mr. Chairman" or "Madam Chairman". I am not sure the people making those arguments accept that the l937 Act interprets man as woman in a gender neutral sense.
Having spent seventeen and a half years in what I am sure Members will accept is still a male dominated profession, I understand the sentiments expressed by the Deputies. However, there was an enlightened approach to making legislation more gender neutral as far back as l937. The 1937 Act states the position clearly. I accept what Deputy Broughan said regarding the Irish Film Board Act, l980 being far reaching. I would be concerned that that, or any other Act, might be misconstrued when referring to terms such as "chairman" if the Interpretation Act did not exist. That Act protects the principle that should be enshrined in legislation and I support the commitment regarding all new legislation.
I accept the Minister's views on this occasion.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Bill reported, without amendment, and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I thank all those who took part in this extremely informative debate. It helped me in my deliberations regarding the screen commission and other issues pertaining to the film world. I thank all Deputies who contributed on Committee and Report Stages. I extend good wishes to the Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language and I also thank my officials for their assistance.
Question put and agreed to.