Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear what Deputy Harkin stated regarding the maternity leave and, in particular, the second point she made. The reason I was careful not to commit to a review of maternity leave as a way of dealing with the issue the Deputy raised is because I am aware of the first point she made. This is an urgent issue and I know it is more likely that we will find a resolution of it within the tax code as opposed to having to look at other things. As stated, I am not saying there is one there at the moment that we have established but I am examining it now.

The Deputy made a point regarding utilities and providers. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, has put in place an agreement with utility providers regarding how we are asking that companies and citizens be treated across the period. During the past 24 hours, I have heard the issue Deputy Harkin referred to being raised. She is the second person who has raised it with me. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, about the matter. Among all the people who are now feeling the strain economically, those who are feeling it most are small business owners who, a little while ago, had viable business models but now find that they do not. My message to them, and to our entire economy, is that we want to work with all of them to recreate and rebuild an economy that, only some weeks ago, had been doing so well and running successfully. If Deputy Harkin gives me a specific example of the issue, I will follow up on it.

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