Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

As indicated on Committee Stage by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, the review of statutory periods of leave such as adoptive, maternity or parental leave is a matter for consultation and negotiation by Government with the social partners through the partnership process, where the views of all relevant stakeholders can be taken into consideration. The partnership process should remain as the forum for reviewing adoptive leave entitlements rather than imposing a statutory review every three years or otherwise. The partnership model has well served employers and employees by providing a forum for negotiation and agreement on a wide range of workplace issues including leave entitlements for parents and carers generally. In this context, introducing a statutory provision for a review of the adoptive leave period outside the partnership process would be inappropriate. The amendment would also introduce an inconsistency with similar types of legislation such as carers, maternity and parental leave legislation where there is no statutory provision for periodic review of the duration of leave.