Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The agreement unequivocally states that the Adoptive Leave Bill would provide for the termination of additional adoptive leave in the event of illness, subject to the agreement of the employer. As I have stated, the purpose of section 8 is to provide for termination of additional adoptive leave, if the employee chooses and the employer agrees. On its own, the deletion of the proposed new section 11B(4)(b) of the principal Act would not change this but would merely risk introducing a small element of uncertainty. The proposed new section is clearly titled "Termination of additional adoptive leave on sickness of adopting parent" and the word "terminate" is used throughout the section. If the Deputy proposes that the balance of leave should be postponed or suspended, then an amendment to this effect would be required. The deletion of the proposed new section 11B(4)(b) would not have the effect of making available the balance of untaken leave to be taken at a later time.

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