18.— F39 [ (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.