Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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When this Bill was chosen through the lottery system, an amendment was moved to delay it for 12 months. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, brought up pregnancy leave but there is other legislation to do with pregnancy loss. The reason I opted for 24 weeks was because it is the relevant time period in the civil registration Bill. I did a bit of research and noted that the Minster for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, published a new Bill under which she is prepared to lower the 24 weeks to 23 weeks and the weight of the baby concerned from 500 g to 400 g. I do not know if an amendment might be necessary and I do not know what Stage that legislation is at.

I take the opportunity to offer my condolences to Senator Clonan because I did not know about what he has shared. When I introduced the Bill in the Dáil, I noted that several TDs, including the Tánaiste, have suffered bereavement at the loss of a child. It is different from any other bereavement. It is not the same as losing a parent or sibling or an aunt or uncle. The loss of a child has to be the worst of them all. It is not natural. I offer my full condolences to the Senator. I am so sorry to hear that.