Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That will be a first.

A Aire Stáit, maith thú. Comhghairdeas. Well done. This is a really good day. Is lá iontach agus stairiúil é. I am a woman like many other women and men who have put themselves forward to represent their communities. Our local government is the cornerstone of our democracy. If we do not have a vibrant, strong, well-functioning local government, our democracy is undermined. We are all willing to do anything we can to support our local elected members and local authorities.

It is a great day that the Government and Oireachtas are ensuring that all local authority members will have access to maternity leave. I acknowledge that and thank the Minister of State for it. When we acknowledge our progress, we must recognise and never forget how long it has taken us to get here. Our local government system dates from 1890. It has been updated over the years. I have had three pregnancies, like many others. Pregnancy and parenthood are uncertain, unknown journeys. None of us knows what we are embarking on when we become parents. It can be incredibly rewarding and challenging, but what is really important is that people are supported in every respect, including to have healthy and happy lives, and feel supported in getting on with the daily challenges. The people who put themselves forward to represent their local communities need to be supported. That is what this legislation will do. In most other occupations, it is a given. There are very few jobs that anybody would apply for that would not come with maternity leave or basic workers’ rights.

I commend all the organisations that have worked to get us to this point. I commend the councillors who have served their time and communities. I commend their representative groups: AILG and LAMA. I commend all the non-governmental organisations, such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland and Women for Election, which work quietly daily to promote and champion our democracy and, most important, participation therein. The role of the local authority member is often belittled and ridiculed. It is one we disrespect at our peril because local authority members are the ones closest to our communities and who understand most those communities’ needs, wants and ambitions. They are the ones best served to inform us all. Maith thú, a Aire Stáit, agus comhghairdeas leis an Rialtas. I look forward to this legislation being used by generations of women in the future. As Senator Black said, there will be local elections in 2024. I hope the legislation will encourage more participation in them.