Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to make any amendments to maternity leave regulations in order to allow parents to share this entitlement to leave between them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14865/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to amend adoptive leave regulations to allow either parent to avail of this entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14866/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has any plans to consolidate the leave entitlements outlined under the Maternity Protections Act, the Adoptive Leave Act and the Parental Leave Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14867/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the rights to maternity or parental leave accruing to the parents or adoptive parents of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14868/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 113, inclusive, together.

The family leave entitlements that currently apply to parents or adoptive parents of a child are outlined in the Maternity Protection Acts 1998 and 2004, the Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006 and the Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005.

My Department is currently preparing proposals for legislation to transpose Council Directive 2010/18/EU of 8 March 2010 implementing the revised Framework Agreement on Parental Leave concluded by BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC and repealing Directive 96/34/EC. The Bill will also consolidate the existing family leave Acts. While I do not intend to provide for sharing of maternity and adoptive leave, as this would take from the existing entitlements of mothers, I should point out that parental leave under the Directive is being increased from 14 to 18 weeks and is available to both parents. The feasibility of introducing further improvements in the family leave area will be considered as work on the Bill progresses.