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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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Seanad Éireann. File photograph.
Maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas should be fast-tracked: that's according to one Kildare-based Senator.
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Women's Caucus, has said that legislation recently approved by government, which would introduce a statutory right to maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas, must be 'fast-tracked' once the Oireachtas returns from Summer recess.
The Newbridge-based politician added that the government approved the drafting of a Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024 back in July, and it has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting.
Senator O'Loughlin also said: "The statutory right to maternity leave for Oireachtas Members is something that I have consistently called for as Chair of the Women's Caucus, and I have had a number of meetings with Minister O'Gorman on the matter.
"I welcome the recent approval by the government for the drafting of legislation that would introduce maternity leave for Oireachtas members."
She continued: "It is vital that this legislation is now fast-tracked as much as possible."
"We have a situation where Deputy Holly Cairns has announced her pregnancy, and I wish her very well with it, but it is simply not right that she has no statutory right to maternity leave.
"What is important now is that we absolutely need to have this legislation in place in time for the next mandate for women who will be coming into the Oireachtas.
Senator O'Loughlin concluded: "I am also calling for the introduction of paternity leave for Oireachtas members... while the Minister has said that we need to have the maternity leave in place first, which I agree with, it is still beyond time for this and we need to get it resolved as quickly as we possibly can."
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph.
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