Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

The amendment is unnecessary because the Bill states the minimum period may be extended by order by the Minister. It therefore provides ministerial discretion to do that at any stage and not just annually.

I want to comment on this and other legislation as an imposition on employers. This is a progressive measure as it recognises the role of adoptive parents for the first time. It equates them with natural parents, which is a good development. However, there is a cost factor involved for employers. We need to be mindful of legislation which impacts on small businesses or even large businesses. Our competitiveness is crucial to the economy and if business is not succeeding, people will not retain their jobs regardless of whether they are natural or adoptive parents. It is easy to be Santa Claus in this House when most revenue raised emanates from workers and employers.