Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputies on the desirability of this move but a process is involved and there is an important link with maternity leave. The maternity working group considered the periods of maternity leave available and made recommendations to increase both maternity leave and additional maternity leave by four weeks each. These increases were immediately implemented in March 2001 and were simultaneously applied to adoptive leave and additional adoptive leave. If the Deputy's amendment was accepted, it would have the effect of breaking the link with the maternity leave provisions and the parity of entitlement between natural and adoptive parents. It would also breach the agreement reached by the social partners on adoptive leave. The review of statutory periods of leave such as adoptive, maternity and parental leave must follow consultation and negotiation involving the Government and the social partners through the partnership process. The views of employers and employees must be taken into consideration. It is not as simple as putting down an amendment or proposal and carrying it in a vacuum. The Government is working on a series of proposals that are the subject of further discussion in the context of social partnership and any budgetary matters will be a matter for the Minister for Finance.

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