Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I accept that the Minister of State is prepared to make our views clear. I ask the Government to back our views also. Having listened to the Minister of State, I believe he agrees with us. I can understand why he does not want to accept our amendments. However, I would expect the Government at least to make this proposal in the partnership talks. These talks may reach agreement to extend parental leave. In the previous partnership talks, agreement could not be reached, which would lead me to believe that it was very close and they could have been extended. If it is agreed, can we have a guarantee that it will not take four years for the proposals to reach the House? The proposals agreed at the previous talks are now effectively out of date. Much has happened in the past four years and we have moved on with much more pressure on people. Given the developments in recent years I believe there would be greater support for extending the number of weeks of parental leave.

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