Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for her suggestion and am advised there is nothing wrong with the amendment as proposed as it does no violence to the legislation. However, I am further advised that the position is already covered. Section 8(2) of the principal Act, as amended by section 2 of the Bill, provides that section 13(2) may be amended by ministerial order, made with the consent of the Ministers for Social and Family Affairs and Finance, to extend the periods of leave in subsections 8(1) and 13(2). We spoke to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel about Senator Tuffy's amendment and have been advised that it is not good drafting practice to make a second cross reference of the nature suggested in the amendment. While I thank the Senator for her suggestion and accept there is nothing legally or technically wrong with it, we are advised that it is better practice to leave the section as originally drafted.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Section 3, as amended, agreed to.

Section 4 agreed to.

SECTION 5.