Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste referred to the Balance for Better Business report. I have a question on that. Recently, officials from the ESRI attended a committee meeting and said there is a noticeable discrepancy between the number of men in Ireland taking parental leave, because of the €250 per week, and the number of our European neighbours taking it. In what way is this a factor? How does the Minister intend to address the concerns raised in the Balance for Better Business report on parental leave within the existing limitations associated with the current system of paid paternity leave?

I wish to touch on the International Labour Organization's Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019, No. 190. Recently, the Minister of State, Deputy English, stated that, further to his having received legal advice, supplementary legislation would not be necessary for the ratification of the convention. He also stated the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is undertaking stakeholder consultation.

The third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence commits the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ratifying the convention by the end of the year. Does the Minister believe this is a deadline he will meet? The strategy also commits his Department to assisting employers and trade unions to create and develop work environments that are free from sexual harassment in all its forms and to work to eliminate male violence against women, supporting the creation of the White Ribbon organisations. Could he give a brief outline of his Department's progress in this regard?