Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment and support Senator Tuffy's remarks. The subsection is negative and lends nothing to the legislation. Its removal would render the Bill silent on the issue but its inclusion will mean that employers shall not be required to provide breastfeeding facilities. We are trying to encourage employers to provide such facilities, yet in this legislation we are telling them they do not have to do so. We are in the business of encouraging employers to provide all types of facilities for working mothers and parents generally, but this subsection strikes a negative tone. Its inclusion in the legislation will give a bad impression to employers that the Government is not encouraging or placing an onus on them to provide these facilities. It would be a good day's work if the amendment were accepted.