Seanad debates
Wednesday, 28 May 2003
Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I accept that the advice of the Attorney General was sought and it was to the effect that we should not take away a right. However, we want to enhance the right. We want to recognise and regulate for what is happening. The Minister can do so within this legislation. I do not want to tell the women of Ireland that Europe says nothing has changed since 1984, that they must take the four weeks, that it is their right and that Europe does not want to take that right away from them. The message is that we want the right to make the choice. Tell the Attorney General's office we need to go back to the EU and tell it what we want. We want the right to choose, which we have sought through history. I hope the Minister of State will look at this issue. He is responsible for equality and he should decide this is correct.
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