Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I welcome this Bill and support the comments made by the other Senators, as well as the aims of the legislation. The Minister of State, in accepting one of the amendments, moved in the direction of flexibility. There must be more options for parents, be they adoptive parents or otherwise. This would be good for both family life and employers, as employees with flexibility in their work would be happier in their family life and job.

I support Senator Terry's view that the legislation could go further. I hope it will go in such a direction at a future stage. This Bill is just a step, and much more must be done in order to improve working life for people with children and families in general.