Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 6, to delete lines 14 to 26.

This amendment makes similar provisions as the previous one. It proposes to delete section 7(b) of the principal Act. In amending section1(a), the Minister of State is prescribing inflexibility. However, section 1(b) allows for the employer and the employee concerned to agree a shorter period. It puts the ball back in the employer's court. It does not give enough power to the employee to request flexibility and to feel he or she has the law behind them.