Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak on the Bill because it is important and deals with parental leave. Anything that has to do with parents, children, child care, the home and how we can make things more acceptable and easier for children and parents in the home place is worthwhile. I am aware the Minister of State pointed out that there are many flaws in the Bill. However, one cannot get everything perfect at the first hurdle. Bill drafters are there to ensure the corrections are made. The spirit and the idea are good. I listened in my office to the many flaws mentioned by the Minister of State. I am not going to repeat them but they can be corrected and, hopefully, they will be corrected.

On the issue of gender equality, a new regulation or report from Europe was published about a month ago. The new gender equality index ranks Ireland ninth and the Minister of State had something to say about that and the fact that there was a need for more work to be done in Ireland on gender equality. I think it was Senator Feargal Quinn who said when one is talking about gender equality it plays both ways. There is male gender and female gender. We had the male gender take precedence over the female gender. In family life both genders are important. When speaking about gender equality it is important to recognise the role of the father as well as the mother and the choice that either the father or the mother has to make. I commend Senator White on bringing the Bill to the House I am aware she has put much effort into the drafting but, as I said, not everything is perfect at the first hurdle.

Child care is an important aspect. I have worked, lectured, promoted and advocated for it for the past 20 years. It is the most important area of policy to get right because if we get it right in the early stages, the future will look after itself. The Government is committed to improving child care facilities. In the short time that the Minister, Deputy Francis Fitzgerald, has been in government there have been many advances. The establishment of the new Department is a recognition of the importance of children and child care in terms of providing a home-life balance and care giving to children.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, introduced legislation that increases the entitlement to unpaid paternity leave by a month from 14 to 18 weeks. These changes bring into effect the 2010 EU directive allowing parents more than months leave. That is welcome. Always when speaking on equality, I say that very often Ireland has to be dragged kicking and screaming but we are getting much better. I congratulate the Minister of State because she has been noted for her advocacy and Trojan work in bringing much of the equality legislation on the Statute Book to the fore, all through her political career.