I thank you, A Cheann Comhairle. I thank Deputies for their contributions and those in my Department who prepared the way for this Bill and did excellent work on it. We are not satisfied with the present status of women, particularly in the higher grades of the Civil Service. A great deal has yet to be done. There are still glass ceilings, but we cannot continue to blame the marriage bar for lack of progress. We are now researching the reasons for lack of progress and why women are not putting themselves forward for competition even though they are eminently qualified to do so. We hope to be able to remove the obstacles which appear to be still in the way.
Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 1996: Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
Question put and agreed to.