Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is also important to say that during the term of the previous Government, under confidence and supply, I brought forward legislation to address this. An amendment to the statutory instrument is what is required. I can speak ad nauseamabout this. If we are to be really serious about increasing the number of women taking up roles in politics, we should ensure they do not need to use a sick certificate for maternity leave. We need to be very serious about this. It is important. I have no doubt but that the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, will shine a light on this. I will work constructively with all elected representatives to ensure we have the mechanisms in place for women who wish to enter politics at council or national level. This means the very basic maternity leave, not a sick certificate.