Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I thank the Minister of State and I welcome the legislation, which is positive and represents progress. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, and his officials for their work on the legislation. I also thank the Senators present for their contributions, including Senator Henry for her contribution earlier and Senator White for her contribution on the previous occasion. I particularly thank Senator Cox for all her work in this area over the years. She has a good deal of knowledge about the issue, much more than me.

I want to pick up on the point made by Senator Cox about the need for further action in terms of women politicians. I agree with that but it has to be done in a broader context. It has to be about families, which I referred to on the previous occasion. It is not realistic for a woman politician to stop keeping up her profile because she has had a baby. There will be huge demands on her to continue her activities after she has had a baby. Obviously, maternity leave and benefit will be the priority but there should be some other form of leave available, based on maternity leave, which either the father or mother can take at various periods. It would be good, for example, if the husband or partner of a woman politician could take some leave during the period after the birth of a child as it would relieve some of the pressure on her. This is the next area which needs to be developed because we are a long way behind other European countries in terms of leave entitlements for fathers.

We discussed the proposal for a crèche in Leinster House the other day and the issue was raised again this morning by Senator Terry. I made inquiries to ascertain what progress had been made on this proposal, which was supposed to form part of a larger plan to provide various facilities in Kildare House. I understand the matter is now up in the air. While I do not know if they were factual, suggestions were made to me when making inquiries that interest in a crèche facility was insufficient. This is not acceptable. The facility must first be provided before people will avail of it. Crèches should not be operated on the basis that children must always be present. Parents who wish to use the facility should be allowed to do so in the periods they require it.