Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses who have expertise in this area. The committee is delighted to have them here to help us in our work. It is interesting that the citizens themselves, the citizens' assembly, put so much effort into this issue. Most of us, men and women, have been in the workplace and have seen what the flaws are that lead to us not having the flexibility that we need or our rights upheld. I have been before the WRC as part of my professional role and it does excellent work. The inspectors do absolutely excellent work in putting the workers front and centre. You do not need to have representation. They take the worker through the whole thing. I agree with the recommendation to increase the numbers of labour inspectors there on the basis of the increased numbers of workers we have in this country and the highest ever level of employment.

I wish to go back to the domestic violence leave and to point out that it was in the programme for Government that there would be an investigation. We are two years in government and it is appropriate that we see the legislation passed. I would be concerned if it was delayed because for the first time ever domestic violence was put into a programme for Government and there are a number of commitments around that. Paid leave and social protection provision was part of that.

I take on board the issue. Having been a solicitor in the area of family law, there is a stigma around people talking about and showing evidence of abuse. People do not say it lightly because of that stigma. Something needs to be looked there but I cannot say what that is at this stage. However, it is welcome that it has come through Cabinet and has been agreed this week.

Is there anything else around the Bill the witnesses will suggest and bring to the committee? It would be good to hear that at the earliest possible opportunity as their statements have been somewhat broad.

The Chair, Deputy Bacik, mentioned childcare at the outset. This is the first time ever that childcare professionals are being paid appropriately and are being put on a professional level. I would like to hear witnesses' comments on that deal that was struck where for the first time ever State funding has underpinned that for a section of workers in Ireland. We will all be listening anxiously to the budget next week in terms of the childcare budget that will support parents to the same level.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, is one of our Green Party Ministers and he does a huge amount of work in this area. It is important to acknowledge that more has happened in the last two years in relation to gender equality in the workforce than ever before. I would like to hear witnesses' thoughts around that.