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

I thank the Tánaiste and his team for being here. I have some questions, which I will get to in a moment, but I wish to refer first to an article by Ellen Coyne in the Irish Independenttoday that refers to an objection by the employers' group, IBEC, to the introduction of paid leave for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The Tánaiste will be aware that I have legislation that would provide for ten days' leave. I understand that the Government is considering five days. There are somewhat mixed messages coming from the Government, given that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has written to the universities advising them to follow the example of NUI Galway, which is ten days. The submission from IBEC, however, refers to concerns about the rights of those accused of domestic violence, querying if an employee could be in a particularly acrimonious relationship and intentionally seek to defame his or her partner. It also refers to the need to require proof.

I know the Tánaiste will remember that during the debate on the eighth amendment, we debated at length whether the State could provide access to terminations for women who had been raped. We agreed that was a good idea. However, we also agreed that we could not ask for proof. What is the Tánaiste's view on what IBEC is saying now? There is a dispute between what two Departments are saying, which is confusing. I would like if the Government and Oireachtas could unite behind my legislation, which I think is simple legislation. Notwithstanding that, the advocacy groups in this area have been absolutely clear that one cannot ask a victim or survivor of domestic abuse to give proof to his or her employer. What are victims supposed do? Are they to come in with a black eye? How do they prove coercive control? What is the Tánaiste's view on this? I understand it was not referred to in his submission. It is in the paper this morning, which is why I refer to it. It does not just exercise me. I understand it exercises many members of the Oireachtas. More than that, it is an issue for victims and survivors. I had a hearing about my legislation at the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We heard from Women's Aid. It was clear about the issue of proof. I did not hear any dissenting voices from the members of that committee about the need for proof.