Minister wants two week's paternity leave by year's end
Two weeks of paid paternity leave for fathers will be in place "this year", and could be extended to include same sex couples.
Equality Minister Aodhan O Riordain made the prediction during a wide-reaching discussion on the Government's social and economic policies at Labour's annual conference this morning.
Speaking during a two-hour debate on education, health, jobs and the Irish economy, Mr O Riordain said he strongly believes the two weeks paid change - which was put forward in a motion last night and is now party policy - is something "we can do this year and people want us to do this year".
He said the move is needed to show people they are not just seen as taxpayers, a move which is "dehumanising" the population, and Ireland can only be seen as "a real Republic" if people know they will be supported during important times in their lives.
When it was put to him by junior health minister Kathleen Lynch that the two week payment should also be accessible by same sex couples if they become parents, Mr O Riordain agreed and said the initial fathers-focussed move is "a start" towards these initiatives.
During the same debate, Mr O Riordain was also asked about his views on people who are opposed to the marriage equality referendum, which will see the public go to the polls on May 22.
While the issue is likely to lead to increasingly fractious debates as the date comes closer, the Labour Minister stressed that just because those opposed to the legal change have questions doesn't mean they are "homophobic" or opposed to equality, but that they "are there to be convinced".
He said the staunchly opposed element of the no side will "use and abuse" these people who have genuine concerns, and that the yes side must work with them to clarify matters.
Earlier in the same debate, Education Minister Jan O Sullivan said she is planning to publish a report this summer to address concerns over discrimination against the Travelling community when it comes to enrolling in schools.
The long-standing equality issue returned to the headlines again earlier this week when the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal alleging a teenager from the Travelling community was discriminated against after he was blocked from enrolling at the Christian Brothers High School in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
In response to the ruling, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said parents of affected families are "confused and frustrated" by admissions policies.
"The difficult of combating such alleged discrimination on an individual basis is evident from the Supreme Court judgement. Indirect discrimination is more difficult to combat than direct discrimination, because on its face it is neutral and is therefore more difficult to identify," IHREC chief Emily Logan said.
