Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Legislation has a role in offering protections in the workplace to ensure that victims' rights and entitlements as employees are both enhanced and protected. The provisions in this Bill will enable victims to take the necessary time off work to seek support, find accommodation and attend court in a structured and a supportive environment.

I will read the words of a survivor of domestic abuse about the difference this Bill would have made and how important it is that we get it through all Stages as quickly as possible. She stated:

As a domestic violence survivor and someone who has gone through the court process, I can honestly say that 10 days paid leave is going to help so many women, it will take away a fear from potentially losing their job to go to court with their perpetrator, this will empower women and I hope encourage employers to support their staff in their court process as it is an extremely difficult process to go through. Having 10 days will help women so much and relieve some stress for the woman. This is a huge step forward into making the woman's journey somewhat smoother and less traumatic.

New Zealand, Australia and provinces in Canada have already introduced forms of paid leave. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, recently called on the Government to ratify the International Labour Organization, ILO, Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. Article 18 of the accompanying recommendation identifies the provision of paid leave for the victims of domestic violence, flexible work arrangements and awareness-raising about the effects of domestic violence as appropriate measures to mitigate the impacts of it in the workplace.

This legislation is an important addition to existing workplace rights. It is a workers' rights issue. It is an issue that affects women at work. It is one that I have seen in the course of my work as a trade union organiser. It is almost impossible to deal with it without this legislation. I welcome the fact that the Government is not opposing this Bill. We have legislation on which we have consulted and I want to work with the Minister to get it through the Dáil and Seanad as quickly as possible and make it a reality for the men and women who really need it. This is important workers' rights legislation. We do not want to see it deflected or kicked down the road. A great deal of work has been done on it. We need to pick up from where we are now and move forward together.

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