The Seanad spent this evening debating a proposed change to Equlaity legislation.

The bill was brought forward by Labour TD Ivana Bacik, who says Section 37 (1) of the Employment Equality Act 1998 allows for religious-run institutions to discrimminate on the grounds of sexuality and family status.

Deputy Bacik believes the proposed amendment will ensure that institutions such as schools and hospitals, which are either run or controlled by the Church, will no longer allow them to discriminate.

Speaking in the Seanad this evening (13/03/2013), she said there were countless cases where workers were treated differently because of their sexual orientation or due to the fact that some women had children out of wedlock.

The Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald attended today's debate in the Seanad.

Representatives of a wide range of trade union, human rights, LGBT rights and civil liberties groups were also in attendance.