Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

The problem is that these procedures become automatic after a while and yet the breast-feeding policy will not be advanced.

I am glad to see that certain rights are being given to fathers, as many have felt hard done by. I believe John Waters is right when he gives voice to those fathers. At times, in the politically correct society, fairness does not govern what is acceptable as commentary. When John Waters tries to make a case, he ensures it is valid. There is a case to be made for men which is not often articulated by others. For that reason alone, the courage John Waters has shown in raising these issues for fathers is important. I do not want anything I will say about fathers to be misunderstood. We have to be fair, reasonable and careful to both parents in any situation.

As we are bestowing rights on fathers, we should also consider bestowing responsibilities too. This is particularly the case where fathers leave all responsibilities regarding children with the mothers. Some fathers make no effort to contribute to the support of their children but instead enjoy the Bohemian life while the mother is tied to the child, even if she is working. I support John Waters in his argument for giving men a fair crack at the whip. However, there is also a case for men to take on their share of parental responsibility, particularly those who might not be in the family home. In the House, we are constantly talking about rights but it is time we also spoke about responsibilities. It is one of the ills of society that we all look out for our own rights but none of us seek to identify our responsibilities. Happily, most fathers, like most mothers are diligent and attentive, whether married or living together. Most fathers want to spend time with their children. I do not wish to make a general allegation or adverse comment, but many fathers do not take their responsibilities seriously and, literally and metaphorically, leave the mothers carrying the babies. That should be borne in mind and considered. When we come to tackle the rights of fathers we need to look at the responsibilities of both spouses.

I am concerned about the level of male suicide, although it is not covered by this Bill. The Minister of State referred in his speech to the increase in the number of women in the workforce In 2002, there were more than 678,000 women in the workplace, an increase of almost 175,000 on the 1996 census and more than twice the number recorded in the 1981 census. Much of this is due to women finding freedom and not being compelled to stay at home, which is welcome. In many cases the absence of both parents from the home has not been replaced by some other support for young males in particular. What contribution is this making to the level of young male suicide which appears to be at epidemic levels? I am not saying that mothers or fathers should not be out working. Nowadays both parents often need to work simply to pay the mortgage because house prices are so high. They are entitled to choose to work. Our economic growth would not have been possible without the contribution of women to the workforce because the participation of women had been so low heretofore. If we were to experience growth at the same level for the next ten years, we would not be able to draw on that. We would have to bring in immigrants.

Have we left a vacuum in the home? Is it necessary to conduct a study on the relationship between the changes in the home environment over the past ten or 15 years and the level of young male suicide? Deputy Neville is the expert on this topic in the Oireachtas. He confirms that part of the problem is that young males have lost their way or their sense of a role. The man is no longer the breadwinner, the person who goes out to work while the wife stays at home. While there is nothing wrong in that, we have not taken into account any of the drawbacks to which that change may have inadvertently or directly contributed. It is a matter to which we should give some attention.

While I welcome the general thrust of the Bill, and women, like men, make a significant and necessary contribution to the workforce, some of the tax incentives, especially individualisation, suggest to women who work in the home that their work is less valuable. That is not right. We should recognise the rights of women in the home as equal to those of women outside the home. If someone chooses for whatever reason to stay at home, because her children are at a certain age, as a temporary decision, or to take a few years break from the workforce to spend with her family, that should be construed as working. Those women are working in the home and they should be supported to work at home. There is a feeling among some that the work of women who choose to do so is not regarded as important.

It may not be a fashionable view but this is important work. My colleague, Deputy John Bruton, has raised this in the past pointing out that the contribution of a mother to the home is not assessed in measuring gross national product. A mother can contribute not just to a happy home but to a happy community with all the implications that has for the future of society and the ability of young people to succeed. We need to examine the way we measure such aspects of society. Women working in the home should not be set against women working outside the home or vice versa. We should value both equally. Some women will find that they wish to do both throughout their careers. We should be flexible and support and recognise both because both make a significant contribution.

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