Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure that the Minister of State, who is in the House, can see how much this issue affects every single person who has made a contribution here today. It affects men, women and their partners. This is an important topic and I am sure that he is taking our contributions to heart.

I thank Senator Sherlock for her contribution and openness, which will support so many. She is very brave. I thank Senator Bacik for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I thank all the Senators for their excellent contributions. Yes, Senator Higgins is absolutely right that there is a culture of silence and we know that is because women's health sometimes has not been to the forefront as it should be. I say to all the young women who are listening to us right now that we want a more open and fair Ireland, and be in no doubt we will achieve that with each piece of legislation that we pass here. We want changes to support women and we want equality so that is access to health, leave and equality in the workplace. We are not there yet but we will get there. We want equality.

I acknowledge the Irish National Teachers Organisation. I thank Ms Siobhán Lynskey from the INTO branch in Tuam, County Galway, for tabling a motion on this matter. I thank all of the men and women who have contacted and emailed all of us here on this topic and expressed support for women to have reproductive leave.

A miscarriage or the IVF process can be traumatic experiences for women and their partners, and there is a period of mourning and loss. There are also challenges with infertility and IVF success rates, which makes this all so tough. The Government did make a commitment in the programme for Government to provide a model of care for infertility. The Government is committing funding but with all the impacts of Covid and the lockdown there are delays. We have four regional fertility hubs and another two are being rolled out. I ask that we see movement on that initiative as quickly as possible.

The INTO, in its press release, noted that one third of its members are under the age of 35 and over 85% are female so it is no wonder that the INTO brought this matter forward. The INTO is the first group to do this and it is an issue that has an impact on so many and people in all walks of life.

As someone who was a substitute teacher at second level, I understand how teachers are very limited in their time off and try to schedule everything around their limited time. Such a situation is not right and is not good enough.

As a woman, as a member of Fine Gael and as a Member with my Government colleagues here, we very much support leave and support women in the call for reproductive health leave, and in terms of leave following a miscarriage. I support the well-being of women and commend the New Zealand Parliament on leading the way with its introduction of three days paid leave.

In terms of taboo subjects, I spoke about menopause last week and stressed that it is important that we support public awareness measures, particularly the Sláintecare aim to have healthy communities. It is important that we improve access to healthcare measures and supports. We must get away from the taboo of silence and stigma, which means people must open up and talk to their GPs. It is shocking to think that women cannot speak to their GPs about these matters. Silence in workplaces is frustrating.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will review this matter and engage with stakeholders to commission research. I very much support our colleagues in doing that work.