Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is fine. I am well used to it.

I thank the Minister for his co-operation on this Bill. I share the disappointment of families who are coming to the end of their parental leave entitlements that because this provision will not take effect until September they will not benefit. However, as was said, it is better late than never. It is a reflection of the Government's commitment to supporting families and hard working parents who are trying to juggle working and rearing a family and want to do it right. The provision is a good example of partnership between the Government and working families. It is also a good example of new politics is working well. New politics does and has worked well in some cases, but that is never covered by the national media. The narrative is always that the Parliament is broken. We do not help ourselves either in that regard. However, what is happening today is an example of us working well. This is a practical, common-sense Private Members' Bill that was introduced by our colleagues in the Social Democrats who are not represented in this House, but nevertheless Senators saw merit in what was proposed and took it under their wing. The concept behind the Bill received cross-party support in this House. In that regard, credit is due to the Labour Party and the Fianna Fáil Party. There is also credit due to the Government which often does not get the credit it deserves when new politics works for people. The provisions of the Bill will, when they percolate down, have a positive effect in families who are doing their best to rear children in this state in which child costs are punitive. The Bill is a small gesture to reflect that we respect the fact that parents want to spend time at home with their children. There are obvious benefits from that family participation that sometimes does not happen because of the cost of child care.