The legislation addresses the recommendations in the report of the working group on the review and improvement of maternity protection legislation, which was published in January 2001. At the time, maternity leave entitlement was 14 weeks paid leave and four weeks unpaid leave. The Department of Health and Children's national breastfeeding policy recommended that all women should be encouraged to breastfeed for at least four months but, in the intervening period, maternity leave entitlement has been extended to 18 weeks paid leave and eight weeks unpaid leave. The Department's optimal infant and young child nutrition policy has changed and mothers are recommended to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue breastfeeding thereafter in combination with solids for up to two years and beyond. The legislation will be outdated even before it is passed into law because these changes are not taken into account.