Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I cannot accept this amendment as it proposes to remove the provision for a ten week interval between the blocks of parental leave. This is contrary to the agreement reached by the parental leave working group in the context of the recommendation that parental leave may be taken in separate blocks, each consisting of a minimum of six continuous weeks. The group considered that to balance the needs of employers and employees, there should be a statutory right to take parental leave in some format, other than a continuous block. The group agreed that the legislation should set parameters on the statutory entitlements on the break-up of parental leave, such as the ten week interval, while maintaining greater flexibility where the employer and the employee can agree. The recommendation of the working group represents a compromise reached between the employer and employee. It strikes a balance between offering the employee greater flexibility in availing of his or her parental leave entitlement, while recognising the business needs of the employer. The arrangement Senator Tuffy seeks already exists. Accepting this amendment would only negate it.