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

It is important to note the proposals we are bringing forward and, it is hoped, will be passed into legislation after today's debate, have been welcomed. They have been welcomed by NGOs and organisations working in this sector and by the trade unions, some of which have campaigned for this for a long time. Thus, there is a strong welcome for the proposals.

A number of the Deputies have referred to the universal standard, but that may be among four or five countries that have adopted this on a national basis. When we adopt a national, statutory, paid DSGBV leave, we will be among the first countries in the world to do so. Notwithstanding the right of Deputies to argue for more and to improve and get better, which needs to happen, it is important to remember we are joining a very small group of countries that have taken this important step. It is not that we are somehow out of line with masses of countries with regard to the provision of paid leave in this area. It is important to make that point. This is a very significant and progressive step. Very few countries in Europe have taken it. The step has been taken in New Zealand and at provincial level in a number of parts of Canada and Australia, but we are legislating on a national level here.

I just make that point about the five days.

The legislation does not set what the rate of DSGBV leave pay will be. It sets out a process for how that rate will be established. During the Seanad debate, organisations raised concerns about the criteria that were being used. They were very much modelled on the criteria for determining the rate of sick pay. On hearing that, we have made changes. We have taken out some of those very high-level references to the macroeconomic situation and, in amendment No. 7, substituted the following wording in respect of one of the considerations the Minister has to consider in setting the rate of pay: "expert opinion, including that of victim services organisations, research and national and international reports relating to the matters specified at paragraphs (a) to (c) that the Minister considers relevant". We deliberately inserted that to recognise the importance of that on an issue as significant as what the rate of DSGBV leave pay will be that the voices and views of those who are most attuned to this area and to the impact of domestic violence on people in the workplace are part of the Minister's considerations. There is a process that will kick off once this legislation is passed and signed. We have made these changes deliberately on hearing the concerns that were raised. That is probably as far as I can go in providing reassurance other than to say the core thinking behind the legislation, to which Deputy Cairns referred, is to protect victims from poverty. I am very cognisant of that in working to pass this legislation and my actions in implementing it.

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