Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

Recently, I was speaking with Deputy Enright, the other baby in the Fine Gael crèche, on how sitting hours affect rural-based Deputies. It is said that the only crèche in the House for us youngsters is the Fine Gael Party. It is difficult for rural-based Deputies if House sittings increase to five days per week. The Dáil could sit six days a week and I would not be affected as I live in Meath and have no family. However, for rural-based Deputies, I wonder if we are going down the right route by increasing sittings just for the sake of keeping the media happy. The Fine Gael Party is calling for an overall reform of Dáil sittings. It does not matter to me or to most people if the House sits late on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. However, it makes a big difference if another day is added. A rural-based Deputy will not be at home at 3.30 p.m. on four days to spend time with his or her children.

A Member referred to the having a family as a factor in keeping women out of politics. Deputy Enright disputes this, claiming that there is nothing stopping a 20 year old coming into politics because she may plan for a family when she is 30. However, there is no maternity leave for a Deputy. I agree it is not possible to give a female Deputy three months off because she will probably lose her job. However, more paid time could be given to the father.

Many young mothers get confused with maternity benefits, thinking that they will get full wages for the 18 weeks. There are information booklets on maternity benefits but for many mothers it does not occur to them until their employer informs them that they will not get their full wages for the 18 weeks. Maternity benefit is only 70% of income to a maximum of €233 which is not much money. For a person on a wage of €400 per week, 70% of that income means he or she is over the maximum threshold. How can one survive with rents alone costing €800 per month? I understand money cannot be thrown around but these benefits should be examined. People need to be made aware sooner that they will not have all their wages.

Moves need to be made on the spatial strategy and decentralisation programme. It is hard to be a working parent living in Navan and commuting to Dublin for up to three hours. Many of these jobs could be based outside of Dublin, allowing people more time at home with flexible hours. Flexible hours are useless for people working in Dublin and living in, say, Navan, as the journey time back and forth takes three hours. A policy of putting jobs beside homes must be developed. The Government must admit its failure in not getting jobs to follow the thousands of houses built in Navan, Kildare and Wicklow in recent years. The spatial strategy and decentralisation programme are only just talked about with no action being taken.

I am glad that some of the Seanad amendments have been taken on board. There will be more amendments to the Bill in the Dáil. Despite some missed opportunities in the Bill, I will be supporting it.

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