Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I thank our guests and thank my colleague Deputy Ward, who has facilitated my having some time to speak. To be clear, we are not here to discuss the Government legislation. I have not seen the amendments yet, in any event. We are here to discuss what is substantially the only piece of legislation that exists that will achieve the aim. I do not think there is any disagreement from anyone at this committee, or indeed any Member of the Oireachtas, about the granting of this leave. There may be some dispute over whether we should be brave and ambitious in what we do or whether we should try to lag behind others but I think we broadly agree on the need for this legislation.

I have a few questions. The first is for Ms La Combre and Dr. Duvvury. Victims believing they will not be believed is an absolutely huge issue. While it is welcome the Government and the Minister have been pushed sufficiently to remove the requirement for proof, it is not totally gone. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, said "if issues arise with respect to misuse of this leave, changes may be made to permit employers to ask for supporting evidence, should they so require it". The removal of the proof is welcome but to leave the door open like that is very disappointing. It sends a very clear message from the 1950s to women to the effect that we are starting to trust them but we might not and we are going to keep an eye on them. It is very regrettable but from Ms La Combre and Dr. Duvvury's experience, do they imagine that even the threat of this might have a chilling effect on a worker coming forward to access this leave?