Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to make flexible working hours a statutory right for all workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12191/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The question of the introduction of flexible working hours is a matter for negotiation between employees, or a trade union acting on their behalf, and employers. I have no plans to introduce flexible working hours on a statutory basis for all employees. Current legislation provides for statutory entitlement to maternity leave, adoptive leave, carers' leave and parental leave. Further legislation is currently being progressed in the Houses of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to enhance certain provisions of existing legislation as regards parental and adoptive leave. It is intended that these amendments to parental and adoptive leave legislation will be finalised by summer 2005.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Minister of State's response to this question makes an utter mockery of his reply to my priority question earlier. This is so if we are to take a leading role, as described in the work place strategy paper already referred to, in providing the flexible working environment that will aid competitiveness and help keep people in the economy who otherwise might leave. Is the Minister of State aware that there is an increasing incidence of people with young children, for example, who are exiting the workplace because they face the impossible choice between very expensive child care and the lack of flexible working conditions? It is very difficult for them to get back in. Will he agree that the provision of flexible working conditions in that regard would allow a much better quality of life to be provided for people rearing children and also keep them at work or allow them greater access to return? How can he say, on the one hand, that we are moving in this direction in terms of work-life balance, and then say he will not provide for guaranteed flexible working arrangements, contrary to what is best practice in many other European countries? It makes a mockery of all the Minister of State's good intentions and earlier assurances. He is ruling out the first major plank in such a strategy. It was very interesting to hear the direct evidence from child care providers and officials in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform at this morning's hearing of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. The evidence clearly was that the demand is for flexible child care arrangements because people want the mix of flexible working associated with this. They cannot manage with what the PDs and Fianna Fáil are forcing them to do, either to get back into the workplace full-time or exit totally. What is the Minister of State doing, by saying he will not allow that?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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One of the great advantages of the current system is that the voluntary approach has been very successful. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, considerable numbers of workers are employed part-time, and very successfully. If at this stage we were to introduce a statutory right for all workers——

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In rural areas the funding is being cut.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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——along the lines outlined by the Deputy, many more problems would be created, instead of being sorted out. This is a matter which may be adequately addressed within the partnership approach and most successfully at the level of the individual enterprise where there is a willingness for this.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State should give an example.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In the instances which the Deputy mentions where there is demand for such flexibility I have no doubt that it will be provided.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Leave it to the market. That is the Fianna Fáil approach.

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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This has been successful, has it not?