Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The delay in legislation passing through the House has been mentioned many times in the press, especially in respect of the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy. May I give the Leader a commitment on behalf of my Labour Party colleagues and Senator Norris? We will facilitate the passage of any legislation coming into this House as soon as it is ready. I do not think the judicial appointments Bill is delaying the passage of any legislation through the House. What we are seeing is what I would call spin rather than content. If the Leader wants or needs to do so, I suggest he sit down with the leaders of the various groups and let us schedule the legislation he says is being delayed. I do not believe any Senator is delaying any legislation. What the Leader does not want is proper scrutiny and debate on the legislation before the House for his own reasons.

I will raise one other issue with the Leader. Both Senator Noone and I have raised the issue of breastfeeding and its importance for women who are returning to the workforce. Two years ago I published a policy document on this issue for the Labour Party and we had hoped we would see real progress. I point out to the Leader that teachers who breastfeed on their return to work are given one hour a day to express outside their lunchtime break, which is only correct and proper.The long-term health and emotional benefits of breastfeeding are well known and well established. Teachers have that proper and correct entitlement. Special needs assistants, SNAs, who work beside their teaching colleagues in the same schools, do not, however, have the same entitlement to express breast milk. They have to do it on an already scheduled 20 minute break. This has been raised several times over the last eight months with the Minister for Education and Skills.

The only response has been that the matter is under consideration. We know the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and for the child and there has to be a sense of urgency regarding this issue. The constant answer that it is under consideration is not acceptable. I ask the Leader to raise this matter with the Minister for Education and Skills and come back to us with a response. I hope the response will break down this inequality between SNAs and teachers. If the Minister cannot give a positive answer, then I will be raising this issue again for debate in the House.