Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When adopted, this Bill will extend the entitlements to parental leave to each parent of a qualifying child from two to five weeks, which would at least bring us up to the average European level. Like most Deputies, I wholeheartedly welcome this change as I have been contacted by many constituents regarding just how important this leave is for them. The campaign slogan, #EveryWeekCounts, really captures the importance of this change. Unfortunately, every week this change has been delayed has also delayed precious weeks for family bonding. It has taken far too long to debate this legislation, but I am glad finally to see it being progressed.

This Bill also amends the Adoptive Leave Act 1995 to enable adoptive couples to choose which parent may avail of adoptive leave. In doing so, this will rectify the oversight in the current legislation which left married male same-sex couples unable to avail of adoptive leave. This Bill goes a long way in rightfully taking steps to recognise that families come in many different forms and that the family is the fundamental unit of society and is inviolate. One such family unit needing protection is that of families with children who have been born through surrogacy. I understand that this Bill offers some limited protection to some families in this regard. I would appreciate if the Minister could seriously consider this aspect and if he could also clarify what other work is being done regarding parental and maternal leave for parents who have children through surrogacy. I commend the Minister on his Bill.

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