Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be present for the debate. While not directly naming the group, the Bill gives leave to parents whose child is born through a surrogate in Ireland. That is a big step in the right direction for the many families that have children born through surrogacy as an alternative to adoption or perhaps due to health issues where they are unable to physically have their own children. It is also relevant for same-sex families who may choose to have children through surrogates. Surrogacy is expensive and complex, but the outcome hopefully is the same as for any other parent, that is, a baby born into a loving family. All parents should have the right to leave to care for a baby. I congratulate my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, for the work she has done in this regard.

I believe we can do more with the Bill. I support what Deputy Gannon said about it not doing enough for lone parents. Overwhelmingly, as we know, the burden on lone parents falls to women. As my colleague, Deputy Higgins, stated, the bigger issue in the long term is to provide equality between parents in taking leave. Parents should be able to avail of a four-day or three-day week. I look forward to the day when a man who has just had a second baby, where both children are under three, looks for a four-day week from a commercial organisation, just as many women have been doing for years. There has been an impact on their pensions, promotional opportunities and their ability to participate fully and to use their skills and experience in the labour market. Society is the poorer for losing all of those women who have been so well trained and who are so professional and experienced. That is the only way to address inequality in the commercial and professional sectors.

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