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

First, this is a statutory minimum. We are providing in law for a statutory minimum domestic violence leave of five days. There is a two-year review in the legislation. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has gone ahead already in terms of third level and said ten days. It is open to employers to go beyond the statutory minimum. As I say, when this goes into the Oireachtas, the Minister will take on board the views of Members of the Oireachtas and we will take it from there.

It is a good measure to bring this in. The international evidence is showing, as I said, so far, in terms of what the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have looked at, that three days was the norm in Australia. Five days is being provided as a statutory minimum in legislation.

There will be a need for cultural changes. We can see that in some of the submissions that have been made and that have been referenced, in terms of the IBEC submission etc., and that of the Irish Small and Medium Employers, ISME, and others. Clearly, there needs to be further work done in terms of the broader issue and in ensuring that this is brought through in all sectors and accelerated without any resistance, opposition or misguided ideas around it.