Vol. 444 No. 7
8 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he intends to support the draft EU Directive which would allow for paternity leave; if he will support the principle of a period of paid paternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have been generally supportive of the draft EU Directive on parental leave. The draft was discussed at last November's meeting of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs at which I voiced the Government's support for the measure but it was not possible for the Council to reach agreement on its terms. The draft will require further discussion.
Will the Minister indicate to the House the obstacles at Council level to having this draft directive, which has been discussed by the Council for the best part of ten years, implemented? What are the difficulties in that regard? Will the Minister support the idea of paid parental leave?
As the Deputy is aware, the system until Maastricht has been that these directives must be unanimously adopted.
It was not possible to achieve the necessary approvals from the member states at the one meeting in which I participated when the question arose. As far as Ireland is concerned, I indicated the Government's support for the measure. Some other countries supported it also, some supported it with reservations and others were not prepared to support it in the form in which it was presented to the Council. It is likely that the matter will be renewed during the German Presidency. The Government's support for the issue will continue but we must await the outcome. On the question of whether such leave, if introduced, would be paid or unpaid, that matter would have to be considered in the context of the development of those proposals. I cannot give any indication as to what the Government's position will be on that issue.
Does the directive contain the provision for ten days leave for pressing family needs and does the Minister support the retention of that provision? What objections are being raised by other countries and will the Minister identify the countries that are objecting to this directive? I am aware the British Government was vetoing it up until the time the Maastricht Treaty was adopted but will the Minister indicate what other countries are objecting and the reasons for their objections? If the EU is serious about pursuing a policy of transparency, this information should be made available to us.
If the Deputy tables a question on that matter I am sure it will be possible to get that information for him. I do not have it on file.
In the event that there is no agreement on this directive, what will be the intent of the Government in regard to paternity leave?
The matter would have to be considered in the light of such an eventuality.
Has the Minister supported this directive without reservation given that IBEC has opposed it on the grounds of cost?
I indicated Government support for the parental leave provision.
