Mary Henry (Independent)

I second the amendment. Senator Tuffy has made a good point. Why is there a need to provide for a period of ten weeks? As a doctor, I approach issues of this kind by considering the problems faced by a parent who needs time off because of a child's illness. It is pretty hard to say that a child will be sick from a certain date until another date and the employee will be able to return to work thereafter. This amendment will not detract from the Bill. As Senator Tuffy said, the acceptance of the amendment will not cost any money, as far as any of us can see. I hope the Minister of State will accept the amendment.