Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister of State and this Bill. I wish the legislation every success. We have had a positive and an informative series of contributions on this legislation. It is progress and a step forward and I hope that the provision will be utilised. This is a cross-cutting Bill. At its heart are the rights of a particular child to have time with and the benefit of having his or her father for the developmental stage which is a critical period in the life of a child, as research has shown. The legislation also enshrines the rights of the father in question. It is important that we send a clear message from this Chamber, as this Bill progresses, to employers that at the heart of this legislation are the rights and entitlements of the worker and that regardless of one's position, one has the right afforded to him to spend time with his child.

Again, I welcome this positive legislation. In terms of my previous contribution, and without taking anything away from the Minister of State, his officials or the work that has been done on this legislation, I believe we can do more. I take heart from the fact the Minister of State has acknowledged that. Go n-éirí leis an reachtaíocht seo agus go n-éirí an t-ádh leis an Aire Stáit ar an ábhar seo.