Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I join with others in congratulating the Social Democrats on bringing forward this Bill. As Senator Ruane has said, the provision in the Bill is for unpaid leave because introducing paid parental leave would create a cost on the Exchequer. I also congratulate the Fianna Fáil group for taking on the mantle and bringing it to the House during its Private Members' time.

It is a little disquieting that some of the Government representatives in this House speak to the concerns of the employers first and foremost