Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

For once, I find myself in total agreement with Deputy Mattie McGrath on his comments. He said it well. I commend the Minister of State on bringing this legislation forward. When it went through the Oireachtas committee, it was one item of legislation on which there was full agreement with regard to the spirit of it, the way it was written and the various areas it covered and catered for. When we put together our pre-legislative report, it was one of the easiest such reports I have ever put together because there was such agreement on it, and that is testimony to the Minister of State's commitment to introducing this well-overdue legislation and to his officials for their support.

I made one suggestion on Committee Stage, although it probably was not suitable for primary legislation. Nevertheless, I hope he and his officials will issue best-practice guidance to the chief executives of our local authorities on what facilities may be required or might be beneficial for councillors returning to work after maternity leave, especially in respect of nursing a young child during long council meetings such as those relating to county development plans. Even on Committee Stage, there were no amendments and it was one of the fastest Committee Stages we have ever had in that Oireachtas committee. I thank the Minister of State.

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