Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Áire Stáit agus roimh an rún atá os ár gcomhair. I welcome the Minister of State and indicate my own support for the motion. I am delighted to co-sign it with colleagues from the administrative panel. I also note the hard work and dedication of Senator O'Loughlin in bringing the motion before us, and the initiatives she has taken, such as last week's engagement with councillors which, unfortunately, I was unable to attend because I had commitments in the Chamber. I know that it was of great benefit and use to all in attendance.

I want to make clear Sinn Féin's position on the issue of maternity and paternity leave. The history of the issue in recent years is reflected in a number of debates in the Dáil and published documents like the report of the Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament. Clarity, as well as consistency, is required to resolve the matter satisfactorily to meet the needs of the elected representatives affected. I believe that elected representatives, whether they are Deputies, Seanadoirí or councillors, should be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leave. The Oireachtas and local authorities must ensure that the necessary workplace supports are in place to make this entitlement meaningful. Elected representatives should be afforded the same maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave entitlements as other workers.

At a time like now, when the nation is in the eye of Storm Barra and people are stressed about the storm and its consequences, elected representatives, especially councillors, will be on the streets and the front line, helping people and getting in touch with local councils and the relevant statutory agencies on their behalf, fulfilling their obligations as representatives elected by the people. We saw, and other colleagues have referenced, how councillors - again, on the front line - stepped up during the pandemic, not least in the immediate early days when we saw them out and about involved in the delivery of food parcels where it was safe, checking on elderly and vulnerable neighbours. On many occasions, they were the link. We, and the Government, relied on them to deliver messages and information in very uncertain times. Many of them were asked to step up, as they very often do. Local, county and city councillors did indeed step up.

We are coming into the winter again and, unfortunately, the reality is that Storm Barra will probably not be the last adverse weather event we will encounter. Councillors will be out there again, doing what they do. That is on top of everything else that they are expected to do from day to day in their lives as elected representatives, and indeed, in their lives as workers. My experience of being a city councillor in Belfast was certainly vast and in many ways, unique. I know that perhaps our circumstances are slightly different, but I know that people across the Chamber who have been in local government will be able to relate to my experiences. In my own circumstances, I could be at a council committee meeting one day, and the next day, I could be standing on the front line of a contentious parade, dealing with riot police. There is an expectation that a councillor will be at all places at all times. I know everyone can relate to that expectation and that work. I have no doubt that even with the provision of maternity and paternity leave, given the public service spirit and nature of local councillors, many of them will not actually stop working. They will probably carry on. However, it is about providing the reassurance and the support to councillors so they know they can step away and have the space to do so, and minimise the work and expectation that is on them. We all know it is a demanding job. Councillors should be entitled to the same rights and protections as other workers. The irony is that many councillors find themselves lobbying on behalf of workers' on rights issues. That is the nature of the work. Many people come to their local council if they are dealing with such issues. Many councillors go in, work hard, advocate and lobby on rights to be afforded to others that they are ultimately denied themselves.

Although today's debate is focused on leave for councillors, I want to touch on the wider arena to get across the importance of this issue being resolved speedily and effectively. Across Europe in 22 chambers, the vast majority of which are members of the EU, provision is made for maternity, paternity and adoption leave, childcare and child protection for elected representatives. Therefore, the issue we are debating here is a live one across Europe. Each of the parliaments has introduced various schemes particular to their own needs. All of the schemes have one objective in mind, which is to ensure that the parliamentary system is family-friendly, and not only family-friendly, but also woman- or mother-friendly. That will make it easier for women to stand for elected office to the council, the Dáil, the Assembly in the North, the Seanad and the European Parliament. I would like to commend the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach for producing the report of the Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament. The report addresses the need for maternity and paternity leave to be made available to elected representatives in the Oireachtas as part of a wider programme of reform to make the Oireachtas a family-friendly and inclusive institution. The observations the report makes on the issue of leave apply to councillors as well. The following line from the report is a very pertinent one that is easily recognised by all elected representatives: "After sitting hours, the lack of an equivalent to maternity, paternity, sick leave and other protective leaves for Members, is the second greatest impediment to a family friendly, inclusive and gender-sensitive working environment for Members". Public life must be altered to reflect the fact that more and more women are being elected at all levels. The remaining barriers that are curtailing women who are already elected, and those who are interested in being elected, must be removed.

I have a fair bit more to say, but I will finish on the following point, with the indulgence of the Chair. The key recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality included: the introduction of maternity leave for all representatives by the end of 2022; the extension of gender quotas for party candidates to local, Seanad and European elections; an increase in penalties for parties that do not meet the quota; and an increase in the threshold from 30% to 40% for both women and men.The issue of maternity and paternity leave requires urgent attention, none more so than for our city and county councillors.