Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to thank Deputies O'Reilly and Cronin for bringing the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021 forward. It could equally be called the compassion Bill because that is really what it is about. It is about showing compassion to people who find themselves in horrific circumstances, something that none of us would ever like to imagine facing.

This will impact a very small number of people and, as the Minister said and everyone would agree, the vast majority of employers will accept that and be understanding but that is not always the case and we must ensure that people have that right.

Most workers will probably get ten days but when we talk about this particular issue, we always say, and it is agreed right across the House, that politics is not family-friendly. We have to do everything to make it more family-friendly. The Minister listed off a number of measures which have been taken to make it more family-friendly, so I just cannot understand how the Government could delay this. Having listened to the Minister, and with no disrespect intended, I still do not understand why he could delay this Bill for 12 months. The process will take years. It is imperative that this compassion Bill which shows compassion is started now rather than waiting for 12 months to go to Committee Stage.

I still do not understand and perhaps the Minister will make a further contribution and outline clearly why the Bill would be delayed for 12 months because I do not think that most people would understand that. Ideally, the Minister would withdraw that amendment. It is unnecessary to delay the Bill and why would he do so? People are at a very vulnerable point when they lose a child. It is a devastating blow and we have to ensure that people are shown that compassion.

Perhaps the Minister will outline again why the Bill will be delayed because it makes no sense. I know that the Minister is a man with compassion which is clear in all of the work he does. I ask that he withdraw the amendment and move this Bill forward as a matter of urgency.

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