Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth
General Scheme of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024: Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
3:30 pm
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Yes, but I will move heaven and earth to make sure this provision is included. I thank the Senator for her recognition but it is important to say that, on foot of my recognition of the importance of the NDA issue, I asked my Department to undertake a separate piece of research on it, which I financed. It is important to set out our bona fides as regards supporting the Senator in her identification of this gap, undertaking comprehensive legal research and now seeking to legislate for it, rather than leaving it to an existing Bill or to a subsequent government. We are seeking to drive that issue out and advance the legislation. Even when presented with further obstacles, we are looking for ways, even if they are imperfect, to make sure this particular provision will be legislated for. I believe I have demonstrated my bona fides in wanting to get this over the line in the lifetime of this Oireachtas but I will state again that I will move heaven and earth to make sure we get this piece on NDAs in on Committee Stage and to pass the legislation before the end of this Oireachtas's lifetime.