Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As both Deputies have said, the proposed amendment seeks to increase the duration of parental leave by a further four weeks to 18 weeks. In its review of the Parental Leave Act 1998, the review group considered proposals made by ICTU and the Equality Authority to increase the duration of parental leave. The proposals were considered bearing in mind the recent extension of maternity and adoptive leave, the Carers' Leave Act 2001, the comparative situation in EU member states and the implications for possible future paid parental leave. All these factors were addressed in detail in the review group's 2002 report, which has been published and is available in the Oireachtas Library.

I do not believe it would be appropriate for the Government or Oireachtas to decide unilaterally to increase significantly the duration of parental leave in the manner suggested by the Deputies. However, I am prepared to make their views known to the parties to the partnership talks process as requested by Deputy English. However, I cannot accept those amendments at the moment.

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