Although the issue of maternity leave is not specifically related to this Social Welfare Bill, we have a difficulty in relation to the implementation of the maternity leave requirements. The Minister knows quite well that Ireland must have the highest rate of premature babies in the world. This is because when women put down dates to claim maternity benefit they give dates two or three weeks after the due date of the baby. The legislation that comes under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform forces healthy women to take four weeks maternity leave prior to the birth of the baby and many women do not feel the need to do that. If they are healthy enough to do their work why should they be forced to take four weeks leave before the baby is born? Everybody colludes in this fixing of dates – employers, doctors, and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. We have to stop people telling lies.