Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 15 removes the requirement for an employee to provide a birth certificate or certificate of placement when applying for flexible working arrangements relating to the care of a child. Under what mechanism is the Minister proposing that an employee would, in essence, have to prove that a child is theirs? While I disagree with the Minister on the requirement to provide medical records, this is a bizarre and strange requirement based on the presumption that an employee would make up a child. I am wondering what that means. It is also prejudicial against people who do not have or cannot access birth certificates. It is a barrier that will affect migrants, especially those fleeing conflict and abusive situations. My opinion so far is that it is unjustifiable.

Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 are the same as amendment No. 5.