On Wednesday, the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill was debated in the Seanad (24th May) where it received cross-party support. The Bill has now passed second stage and will continue to committee stage.
Once made into law, the measure will require employers with more than 50 employees to publish details of their internal gender pay gaps.
IMPACT has been campaigning and lobbying in pursuit of this measure since February, and has won widespread support on the issue in a relatively short time.
Speaking about the Bill, Minister David Stanton (Fine Gael) said he welcomed the debate and said the Government is committed to acting on the gender pay gap.
Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher said his party supported the Bill, describing it as “a sensible measure and solution.”
Sinn Féin’s Paul Gavan appealed to the Minister to ensure that the Bill moves swiftly through, “I don’t think the women of Ireland will thank Government for parking this Bill,” he said.
Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway described the Bill as very progressive. “The more information available, the better equipped we are to do the right thing,” he said.
Senator Catherine Noone (FG) quoted from IMPACT’s letter to Senators. “It has been argued by IMPACT,” she said, “that publishing these figures will incentivise employers to narrow the gap”.
She added, “If such information is public knowledge, it will allow people to negotiate for better pay. It will also allow organisations and firms to engage with suppliers and businesses that practice equality. The proposed Bill does embody meaningful change.”
Independent Senators Alice Mary Higgins and Michael McDowell also spoke in support of the Bill.
It was encouraging to see the Bill receive enthusiastic support from Senators across the political spectrum. It’s worth noting that some Senators expressed minor concerns around ensuring that the legislation is both of benefit to workers and fair and practicable for employers.
IMPACT is a trade union representing workers’ interests. It also happens to be an employer, so we have an interest in ensuring both objectives are met.
The Bill itself is a carrot rather than a stick. The emphasis is, and should be, on celebrating good practice where pay equality is concerned.
