Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

On Senator Jim Walsh's point, I do not see how it is a free-for-all in terms of employees. First, parental leave is not paid and it will be difficult to encourage people to take it in the first place. It is not only for the common good but also for the good of the economy because it encourages people to stay in the workforce. It probably discourages people from taking sick leave inappropriately or going absent from work because they feel they cannot be upfront with their employers regarding their reasons for seeking leave. If one has a flexible employer, one is more likely to work harder and want to remain in one's job. I do not understand why it is not in the interest of the employer to introduce the kind of flexibility I seek and why it is not in the interest of the Government to enshrine it in law.

We are trying to have it both ways in this legislation. We are saying that there could be flexibility but only if the employer agrees to it. Why not enshrine the provision for flexibility in law from the outset? A protection still exists in that if the employer cannot be flexible and can provide reasons therefor——