Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Is the Tánaiste aware that, from September onwards, every employer is supposed to offer new fathers two weeks' paternity leave following the birth of a child and that the time to make legislative provision for this welcome and progressive measure is fast running out? When will the family leave Bill 2015 be brought before the House? As the Tánaiste is probably aware, the proposed scheme is insurance based and unless the legislation is passed in good time, it will be impossible to implement the measure by 1 September, as promised in budget 2016.

My second question is also linked with social protection. When will the Health (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2016 which amends the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 be brought before the Oireachtas? I understand the failure to progress this legislation has delayed measures that would bring Ireland into compliance with the EU directive of 2014. We were promised that plain packaged cigarettes would be the legal norm from 1 January 2017. It appears, however, that the delays, including in the formation of the Government, and perhaps changes in the views held by members of the Government have caused the legislation to be put on the long finger. Ireland may amass fines as a consequence, but, more importantly, many more people will become attracted to smoking through its packaging, thereby running the risk of serious disability and death. While we all sympathise with people who have an addiction to nicotine, we do not want children, through seductive advertising on the packaging of cigarettes, to be brought into a web of addiction that would be extremely damaging to their health.

There are no costing figures attached to the programme for Government which includes a wide variety of aspirations and proposals. A number of specific local promises have also been made to various Independent Deputies who are members or supporters of the Government. When will a costed programme for Government be put before the House and when will the Dáil have an opportunity to debate it?

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