Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I came here in good faith, not to get into a sort of partisan position. We want to arrive at conclusions that are in the best interests of women, particularly in the application of this. It is not the intention to require proof. As I said to the Deputy's colleague yesterday in the Dáil, when a woman or man comes forward to an employer in respect of seeking domestic violence leave, it is not a cross-examination they require; it is consideration, help, assistance and the provision of the leave. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be tendering for expert advice to come forward to create templates and provide guidance for employers on how to deal with this. This is about culture and people being properly equipped to deal with situations like this, which will emerge. It is groundbreaking that we are bringing in domestic violence leave. It is the first time any Government has ever done this. That in itself is a positive; that is the way I would approach this. It is not the Government's view that the victim would be required to provide proof of domestic violence when availing of the leave. I cannot be clearer than that. I discussed this with officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth before this meeting.