Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has stated that the Government's failure to implement new European Union regulations targeting pay transparency and the gender pay gap represents a major setback for working women. She emphasised that the demand for equal pay for equal work remains an urgent issue in Ireland in 2026.

The EU Directive was scheduled to be enacted on Sunday; however, the Government has confirmed that it will not meet this deadline.

Ms McDonald said: "Equal pay for equal work is something for which women have been fighting for generations. The Government's failure to implement the new rules is a significant knock-back for working women. They will feel it in their pay packets. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is very clear: this will cost women more than €570 million a year in lost wages. "Pay transparency is a vital tool for closing pay gaps. A lack of clarity around pay enables discrimination and inequality. Women are denied the information they need to ensure they are paid on par with colleagues performing work of equal value. This had been an equality roadblock for decades and the Government's failure to implement the new rules only perpetuates the problem.

"Fair and equal pay is firmly on the agenda, not least because the cost of living is out of control. Workers and families are locked out of an affordable life due to the sky-high costs right across the board. Pay inequality adds to that pressure.

"The Government must do everything to progress pay equality and up its game to ensure women are paid fairly. This slow-motion approach doesn't cut it. Excuses aren't good enough. The Minister must now set out a clear timeframe for the full implementation of the directive. Workers are entitled to pay transparency. Women are entitled to equal pay for equal work."