Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the situation in the United Kingdom, should there be a vote to leave the European Union. I raised this matter yesterday and I asked the Taoiseach, if he was not in a position to brief the House overtly in regard to plans that might be being worked on currently by senior officials in the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and elsewhere in regard to this matter, then he might at least ensure leaders in opposition were fully briefed on the matter to ensure there would be a clear strategy to be implemented immediately by this country should the United Kingdom vote to exit the European Union.

With regard to legislation, I raised last week with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, the issue of the paternity leave Bill. I was told it would go to Cabinet this week. Has the paternity leave Bill been approved, when will it be published and is it still the Government's intention that the new paternity leave arrangements will be implemented for September?

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