Maritime area and foreshore Bill
Deputy Gerry Adams asks when the delayed maritime area and foreshore legislation will be published, stressing its importance to coastal and Gaeltacht communities; the Taoiseach says it is on the session’s A list.
Tá ceist agam maidir leis an mBille um limistéar mara agus imeall trá atá ar an chlár reachtaíochta. Tá fios ag an Taoiseach go bhfuil feamainn an-tábhachtach do daoine atá ag maireachtáil cois farraige agus do mhuintir na Gaeltachta fosta. The Taoiseach will be aware that the maritime area and foreshore Bill was published a year ago. Since then, there has been the usual considerable delay and, I suspect, prevarication on the part of the Government in bringing this forward to the Dáil. This is delayed legislation. Many are dependent on this for income. Seaweed cutting is a traditional activity around the coastline, especially in Gaeltact areas. Can he give a date for the publication of this Bill and ensure the harvesters are protected during that process? I am told there has been a larger number of applications than usual made because those involved are unsure of their legal status in harvesting this traditional crop.
On the family leave Bill, Ireland is the only EU state with no period of well-paid leave on the introduction of a new child to a family. There is no paternity leave whatsoever in this country. There are limited work-life balance policies and the State compares poorly with the rest of the European Union on maternity leave. The policy assumes women are still primarily responsible for the care of young children. Can the Taoiseach provide an update on the progress of the family leave Bill, which was to have been published this autumn but which, I understand, is scheduled for early 2015?
Comment on this
Parental leave has already been dealt with by regulation. The family leave Bill is due for publication early next year.
In respect of the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill, was the Bill of last year to which Deputy Adams referred a Private Members' Bill because I understand this Bill is on the A list for this session and is being drafted internally within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to deal with the issues the Deputy raised? I am not sure what Bill the Deputy talks about as being published 12 months ago.
Comment on this
I refer to the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill. There is no date for publication that I can find. The general scheme was published a year ago.