Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. We have had many conversations both formal and informal with regard to the two main provisions in this Bill. Maternity leave is very important. It is a very precious time for babies and for their parents, mainly mums. In the past, we know that on average, approximately 60 women per year have cancer and have to undergo difficult and severe treatment during their maternity leave. Ensuring that maternity leave is extended to allow them to be able to have that precious time with their babies during a healthy time in their lives is hugely important. I thank the Irish Cancer Society for all the work it has done. I thank our colleague, Senator Ardagh, who works closely with the Irish Cancer Society and who produced legislation in this regard. This is very timely and really important.

The second provision is hugely important. As chair of the women's caucus, I am really delighted that we are at this point. We were during this past term able to introduce legislation to support women at local government level and ensure they had maternity leave with options in terms of either secretarial or administrative support. I spoke to Councillor Racheal Batten on Saturday evening, who had availed of that particular type of support. She said it was and is a tremendous help to her with her second baby compared with when she had her first baby and she had no supports and no leave and it was very difficult to keep on top of all the work. It is great that this Government is delivering maternity leave for public representatives who are female. We were very clear. It was probably last January or February when I spoke in this Chamber and said that we absolutely need to have this delivered for the next mandate. We already know the exciting news about Deputy Cairns. I think her baby is due in the middle of November. We do not know whether we will have had an election or whether we will be facing into an election. However, it must be of great comfort to women like Deputy Cairns and those who will be joining the Houses of the Oireachtas to know that there are measures in place to support them and rightfully so. We have further to go in terms of paternity leave, etc., and I know the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is committed to that. We have spoken about it before. All in all, the changes that are being made are welcome because as we know, the pause that was permitted prior to this legislation on maternity leave was only if a baby was ill and had to be hospitalised.We must ensure we are looking after the parent as well as the child. We know that the children will have numerous benefits from having a period of time with their parents.

I thank the Minister for the Bill and I was delighted when I saw it on the schedule. It is great to be able to deliver for the women of Ireland and those who, sadly, will get a difficult diagnosis. This will certainly help them. It will also help the women who are at present, and will become, Members of the Oireachtas.