(1)

(a) Subject to paragraph (b), for the purposes of this Part 'A' and 'B' represent 2 persons of opposite sex so that, where A is a woman, B is a man, and vice versa.

(b) For the purposes of this Part (except sections 19 and 20), where the treatment of a woman on a ground related to her pregnancy or maternity leave is, by virtue of section 6(2A), in issue, 'B' is either a man or a woman.

(2) Subject to subsection (1), nothing in this Act affects the operation of the Interpretation Acts, 1937 to 1997, in so far as they provide that, unless the contrary intention appears -

(a) words importing the masculine gender shall be construed as importing also the feminine gender, and

(b) words importing the feminine gender shall be construed as also importing the masculine gender.