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Equality Bill

The directive states that the characteristic has to be""a genuine and determining occupational requirement"." Sexual orientation is not a genuine and determining occupational requirement for youth workers, secretaries or care takers. Religious organisations can say that it is, and I support them in this, in respect of""leading or assisting in the observance of liturgical or ritualistic practices of the religion,"" or""promoting or explaining the doctrine of the religion"." I accept the point that has been made that even if they spend most of their time doing pastoral work and do not run many services, they should be covered by that provision. If that is the issue, perhaps clarification is needed. There is no difference between us on those grounds.