I wish the Taoiseach a happy May Day. On International Workers' Day, I want to raise the issue of the promise in the programme for Government to tackle the gender pay gap. As we once again sadly debate Ireland's failure on women's health, will the Taoiseach advise the House on when the Government plans to progress its own legislation or accept and amend the Labour Party's Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017, which is in the Seanad? That Bill has passed Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann and is ready to move on to Report Stage. It could readily be enacted. There is no reason the Government cannot introduce its own amendments if it wants to improve the Bill. It really is time that we tackled the issue of the gap in pay between men and women. This would be a good day to signal the Government's intent in that regard.

I acknowledge the contribution of the Labour Party, especially Senator Bacik, on this issue. There is a working group taking forward a Labour Party Bill with a number of Government amendments.

I expect progress on that over the next weeks. I acknowledge the contribution of the Labour Party, which is very valued, but it is important that we get this matter right. I hope to report progress over the next couple of months.

Last year, when it emerged that the new national maternity hospital would be under the ownership of the Religious Sisters of Charity, there was outrage. The guidelines of this organisation state that the morning-after pill, IVF, vasectomy, sterilisation of women and abortion should be forbidden in their hospitals. There were demonstrations. Dr. Peter Boylan resigned from the board and more than 100,000 signed a petition to demand that the hospital be under exclusive public ownership. Following those protests, the Religious Sisters of Charity said they would not be involved in the ownership of the hospital. An article in The Sunday Times by Justine McCarthy, however, says that the National Maternity Hospital will be obliged to uphold the "values and vision" of the founder of the Religious Sisters of Charity, which is against the wishes of all of those who protested, who I think represent a majority of society. Will the Taoiseach or the Minister, who is not here, clarify whether that is the case? Do they agree that the church and religious orders should play no role in the operation of public hospitals? Do they agree that it points to the need for a separation of church and State?

There is no legislation promised.

Today is 1 May, International Workers' Day. I presume the Taoiseach is wearing his red socks in recognition of it. Workers today are still struggling to get decent pay and conditions. A recent report by Think-tank for Action on Social Change, TASC, shows increasing growth in precarious employment. Precarious employment does not just condemn workers to low pay, which now affects one in four workers according to the criteria of the OECD. Precarious work also affects access to health services, housing and other services. When will the Government's Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, even though the union Mandate says it contains shortcomings, be presented to the Dáil?