asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider legislation requiring employers to allow men to take extended paternity leave in cases in which this leave could be in the child's or family's best interests.
Written Answers. - Parental Leave.
660.
Proposals submitted by the EC Commission in November 1984, for a Council Directive envisage, inter alia, the establishment of a right to parental leave. The proposals envisage parental leave as a child-related absence from work available to a male or female parent, including an adoptive parent. The leave would be of a certain minimum duration.
Discussion on the draft instrument is taking place in the Social Affairs Council at working group level. Due to various technical difficulties it is not possible to forecast an adoption date. Pending the outcome of these proposals, it would be premature to consider legislation on the lines indicated by the Deputy.