Seanad debates

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important Bill, and I very much hope it will be brought into law very swiftly. I acknowledge the fact that this Bill is an initiative of Deputies Shortall and Catherine Murphy.The Bill was passed by the Dáil nearly a year ago, on 13 June 2018, and came to the Seanad in November but Second Stage was only taken in the Seanad when Fianna Fáil gave its Private Members' time and, indeed, it only moved on to Committee Stage on 6 February this year when we, the Labour Party Senators, gave over our Private Members' time for Committee Stage. I am glad we are taking it now in Government time.

The Minister promised us amendments which are now before us. We all want this Bill come into effect because of the great improvements for parents that it will represent. I acknowledge the Government has worked with Deputy Shortall in bringing the amendments forward. I spoke to Deputy Shortall today. I will not be opposing the amendments, nor will any of my colleagues, because we want to see this Bill come through because we know how important it is to families. From Deputy Shortall's point of view, it was somewhat disappointing that the amendments appeared so late. It would have been preferable to have had more consultation more recently. There was consultation, and I acknowledge that, between the Department and Deputy Shortall, but more extensive and recent consultation might have been preferable.

Colleagues of mine share concerns about amendment No. 10 which refers to the commencement of the legislation and that the Act shall come into operation on a day or days appointed by the Minister. We are concerned about the start date. I anticipate the Minister will say 1 September 2019 will be the date on which the provisions will come into effect as that date is specified in amendment No. 2. However, many parents are running out of parental leave provision and were hoping the Bill might come into effect in time for the summer holiday period, perhaps by July or 1 August. That may be something of a disappointment.

Having said all that, I do not wish to sound begrudging or negative because this is a positive Bill and development. It is a positive day for the Seanad and I commend the Government on working with Deputies Shortall and Catherine Murphy to ensure the Bill comes through. I simply make those points about the amendments but, as I say, do not oppose the Bill or any individual amendment. We all know and understand the great benefit that enhanced parental leave provision will represent to many families, parents and children.

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