The Labour spokesman on justice criticised the absence of women in management positions.
Mr Joe Costello said that despite 9 per cent of nurses being male, men still made up 50 per cent of senior nursing posts. "While 40 per cent of psychiatric nurses are male, men hold approximately 88 per cent of the senior management posts," he said.
Mr Costello, who was speaking during the debate on the Equality Bill, said that within the teaching profession, there had been a consistent failure by school boards to appoint women to management positions.
"Positive action must be taken to address this glaring imbalance, and proposals must be brought forward to increase the number of appointments of women to management positions at all levels," Mr costello said.
Introducing the Bill, the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, said the measures were intended to meet Ireland's obligations as a member of the EU to implement community initiatives. Provision was made for equal treatment on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.
"The opportunity is also being taken to introduce a number of technical, procedural and other minor amendments to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts, arising from experience gained in the operation of the acts as well as consultations with relevant interests," Mr O'Dea said.
The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr John Deasy, said he would withhold support from the Bill until a number of issues were examined.
"The submission from the equality coalition should be examined," he added. "It contains some serious claims, particularly with regard to migrant workers and asylum-seekers."
The Government, he said, had claimed that there had been widespread consultation and deliberation with all concerned groups. "If that claim is to have any credibility, attention must be given to these concerns as the Bill proceeds through the Oireachtas. Some concerned groups claim that the Bill is regressive, contrary to the Government's claim that this is totally progressive legislation," Mr Deasy said.
