Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. I for one will welcome the climate legislation that is being brought forward as the Minister who brought in the original climate legislation in the Dáil and signed the COP agreement.

In the limited time left, I urge the Taoiseach to deal with the issue of sick pay and parental leave for the parents of children who will end up out of school. It is a small thing and can be dealt with pretty easily. Sick pay has to be dealt with. We have put forward a Bill. I do not mind if the Government changes it and brings forward its own but I ask the Taoiseach to prioritise it. It is a necessity. It is wrong that we are one of only five countries in Europe that do not have it in the first place but during a pandemic, it should not be a choice between going without pay or going into work.. It should not happen.

On cervical cancer, I urge the Taoiseach to act for many reasons, given the false commitments and promises made, sometimes accidentally, by his predecessor in regard to the women affected. The Ruth Morrissey judgment changes everything. I was almost alone in the House in opposing the State challenging the judgment. The State lost. Ruth has passed away. Her legacy should be an amendment to the Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill which the Chief Justice has recommended. I ask the Taoiseach to please prioritise this. I have also drafted that proposal and I honestly do not mind if the Government changes it as long as the outcome is the same.

See this speech in context