Vol. 1 No. 11
In accordance with Standing Order 79(b) I propose the following message from the Select Committee will now be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil:
The Select Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights has considered the Parental Leave Bill, 1998[Seanad] and has made amendments thereto.
Is the report agreed?
Report agreed to.
Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.
I thank the Minister of State and Members. We will have a meeting of the Joint Committee, probably next week, to discuss a number of issues.
I thank the Minister and Minister of State for the attitude they adopted to amendments. I was critical yesterday, and I am still critical about the parental leave provision. However, we now have a much more open Bill. The possibilities flowing from it are ones that we all have to pursue. I thank both Ministers for the attitude they have shown in what has been a fairly rapid process yesterday and today. I look forward to Report Stage.
I concur with the remarks of Deputy McManus. Some progress has been made in the Seanad, the Dáil and this Committee.
It is a joy to see legislation like this going through with such goodwill from all sides. I thank the beleaguered Chair for showing some flexibility.
I was getting messages from the Whip's Office.
I thank Members of the Committee for being so helpful. It is our policy to amend legislation if it is required. Good ideas always come forward both in the Dáil and the Seanad. We are pleased to take on board what we can. Members know that we are operating within the bounds of the equality legislation. I thank Members for their co-operation.
