Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that, in 2014, when the sick leave entitlements for serving civil and public servants were cut in half, mention was made by people, some of whom are still in government, that the measure was intended to improve productivity. I share the concerns regarding the link between that and sick leave entitlement. Would the Minister of State be open to strengthening what is currently in the Bill to ensure we will get to the increased entitlement rather than saying there is an aspiration to get to it? He should ensure a much clearer pathway.

Previously, Ministers took to the microphone to talk about workers’ rights but when they were presented with an option in this regard, they cut in half the entitlement for serving civil and public servants. My concern is that the provision in the Bill is not robust enough. I am curious about this. As the Deputies just asked, where does the figure of three come from? Would the Minister of State be open to strengthening the Bill to address my wariness about extending flexibility? I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but I am referring to someone who might be sitting in the Minister of State’s chair in the future. The flexibility could mean that there will still be only three days in ten years’ time, and the Minister will have stayed within the law. There is a genuine concern.