Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this legislation. It does a good job of addressing the issues that have presented. They have been debated many times in the House, and rightly so. The Bill addresses a social imbalance that became obvious in recent times. To do that, it was necessary and desirable - excuse me, but the flu must have caught up with me at last. Expiry might come sooner than I thought.

As a result of this Bill, I expect to see in the workplace a recognition by both sides of the other's predicament. The employer should also recognise that this is good, constructive and progressive legislation that has been needed for some considerable time and that - excuse me again-----

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