Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the general thrust of this Bill. It is important that the rights of spouses be enshrined in this Bill. However, we constantly give rights through legislation but do not bestow responsibilities.

It is right that the policy of breast-feeding, as identified, should be encouraged and supported. However, I notice that in the event of somebody not taking a breast-feeding break, they can take time off in lieu. It could be easy for someone who is not breast-feeding to claim she is doing so and take time off. What safeguards to prevent this will be in place? Will everyone get time off once they claim they are breast-feeding even if they are not?

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