Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 4

Written Answers. - Parental Leave.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

101 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether the Government has asked the European Commission to allow it to delay introducing a directive on parental leave due to come into effect on 3 June 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12456/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The EU Directive on Parental Leave (96/34/EC) is required to be transposed into national law by 3 June 1998. The directive provides, however, that member states have a maximum additional period of one year in case of special difficulties.

In February 1998 my Department contacted the EU Commission seeking an additional six months in which to transpose the directive. This approach was made by my Department because of its assessment of the likely time frame for finalisation of the legislation. The EU Commission acceded to this request.

The Parental Leave Bill is now at the final stages of drafting and it is intended that it will be published within the next two weeks. My aim is to have the Bill enacted in the current session.