The following subsection is substituted for subsection (1) of section 24 (positive action on equal opportunities) of the Act of 1998:

"(1) This Act is without prejudice to any measures -

(a) maintained or adopted with a view to ensuring full equality in practice between men and women in their employments, and

(b) providing for specific advantages so as -

(i) to make it easier for an under-represented sex to pursue a vocational activity, or

(ii) to prevent or compensate for disadvantages in professional careers.".