Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very proud to second Deputy Bacik's proposal for this really important legislation. It is important for this House and for each of us to fully understand the impact of the pain and trauma caused by pregnancy loss. Many of us, and I include myself in that, have not fully empathised with those women, men and families who have endured such loss. It is only when you have experienced it directly or have been close to those who have that you can fully understand and comprehend the impact of early pregnancy loss. That is why this matter even being debated is of such importance. The struggle some individuals and couples have with fertility is also an issue of extreme importance that is addressed in this legislation. The scale of the impact of this is very significant. It is not a niche or minor issue but a very critical issue for a great number of citizens in our State who look to this House and to this Legislature to address issues of fundamental importance in their lives. We are well behind the most progressive countries in providing workplace leave to those who have reproductive health issues.

As Deputy Bacik has said, this has been debated as an issue for years now. This particular piece of legislation was introduced in the Seanad by the Labour Seanad group in 2021. In recent times, its advancement and progress has largely been led by Senator Marie Sherlock, whom I credit and thank for all her work, following on from an initial impetus from the Irish National Teachers Organisation's membership crying out for action in an area that affects a great many of them.

The facts are plain. Each year, 14,000 women in Ireland experience pregnancy loss. One in six couples experiences fertility issues. Those of us who know couples who tried to have children and have gone through IVF treatment are aware of the toll it takes on them, as well as the delight if fertility treatment works. We must support them. The citizens and couples in that position deserve the support of this House and the protection of this legislation, which will afford them time off work - ten days for a worker who needs to access fertility treatment and 20 days for a person who suffers pregnancy loss. A woman who loses a child before 24 weeks certainly deserves to have the time to come to terms with that personal trauma and difficulty.

As has been explained, these proposals enjoyed all-party support in the other House and passed all Stages unanimously. It would be a truly regressive step for this House to halt the progress of the Bill. Unfortunately, that is the intention of the Government. It is a tautology to suggest that it needs 12 months to further consider the Bill when it knows that delaying it for 12 months will mean, in effect, killing off this legislation for this Parliament. Even if the Bill passes Second Stage 12 months hence, there is no way it will pass into law in the lifetime of this Parliament thereafter. The Minister and the Government know that full well. I strongly add my voice to that of Deputy Bacik - all my colleagues will add their voices - to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, not to move his amendment but, rather, to support the Bill through Second Stage and deal with any issues that might arise on Committee Stage to get good legislation for those who demand it.

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