Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I join the Deputy in wishing huge congratulations to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her family. Work is ongoing regarding the provision of maternity leave to members of local authorities. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his team are working on that. My Department is working on the provision of maternity leave to Oireachtas Members. We have engaged with the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus. We have sent a survey to all female Members to get their views. I am meeting with the Ceann Comhairle soon regarding an engagement to bring together Standing Orders and to see what elements we can undertake in that regard. We now perhaps have the opportunity, with the work life balance Bill that will move through the Houses shortly, to undertake some of the legislative measures necessary to provide maternity leave for female Members.

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