Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I am delighted with this Bill but the Opposition will look for more. The opportunity was missed to introduce some form of paid benefit and I hope this will be introduced in any changes to the Bill. Many people cannot afford to take time off, especially considering the expenses associated with raising children and even the expense of living without children. I hope the Government will press this point during the talks, as will other groups. I hope the Bill will be updated soon. The last three Bills dealing with this subject have proposed significant improvements and there appears to be a recognition that they should be fast-tracked.

I compliment the Minister of State on the quick passage of this Bill. I am impressed that he accepted amendments where possible and I understand his reasons for not accepting others, even though I would not agree with him. It may well be the same for us when we are on that side of the House in 12 or 13 months' time.

An opportunity was missed when dealing with the Adoptive Leave Act to recognise the changing patterns in society. The rights and responsibilities of fathers and their role in child rearing has changed greatly. The Adoptive Leave Act did not recognise this fact. It is up to this House to prove to the country that we expect change and that we are willing to lead that change. We should make it clear that fathers must be just as responsible and as involved as mothers. The day is gone when the mother at home did all the child rearing. This House should show a lead in this matter. If this is equality then we should expect it from both parents. It may not always happen and in most cases the mother may still end up carrying the brunt of the work in the house and rearing the children. For various reasons the House missed its opportunity in the Adoptive Leave Act to facilitate both parents taking an equal amount of the workload.

This is a 21st century society and we must move with the times. We are still a good way off the standards of our European counterparts in many areas but we are getting there. I get annoyed because I want our young people to have the same opportunities as young people in other countries. Parents should be encouraged to spend as much time as possible with their children and even though this becomes more difficult to achieve every year, we are getting there.

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