The legislation for adoptive maternity leave was based on the recommendation of the Second Commission on the Status of Women who recommended that adoptive leave confined to women be introduced. That legislation was prepared during the period of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government, was published during the period of the Fianna Fáil-Labour Government and was passed by both Houses during the term of this Government. It was an equalising measure and was intended as such on the recommendation of the Second Commission on the Status of Women in that it brought adopting mothers into line with natural mothers.
The question of providing leave for adopting fathers would have to be considered in the context of leave for natural fathers and that whole question will be examined, as I have said in my reply, in the context of the implementation of the new directive which will be adopted at the forthcoming EU Council on 3 and 4 June 1996 when the whole subject will be up for review. I will be examining that whole question on that occasion.