We all wish the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, well with her very good news. Of course, she is not the only female Member to have had a baby in the lifetime of this Dáil. Indeed, a number of men have had babies in their families during the period of this Dáil. It is a useful opportunity to remind us we have made no practical advance in maternity provision for Members of the Oireachtas who may have babies. A Bill was passed on Second Stage and I thank the Government for its engagement with that. It is a recommendation of the Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament, and part of the work of the gender equality committee, to have a referendum on remote or proxy voting in limited circumstances, which would include maternity and potentially paternity provision. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate his support for this measure and indicate the lead Department in order that we might follow up on a practical basis for the future. Is it the Taoiseach's Department? It is surely not a matter of equality but one of the administration of politics more generally, rather than being hived off to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

I join the Deputy in wishing huge congratulations to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her family. Work is ongoing regarding the provision of maternity leave to members of local authorities. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his team are working on that. My Department is working on the provision of maternity leave to Oireachtas Members. We have engaged with the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus. We have sent a survey to all female Members to get their views. I am meeting with the Ceann Comhairle soon regarding an engagement to bring together Standing Orders and to see what elements we can undertake in that regard. We now perhaps have the opportunity, with the work-life balance Bill that will move through the Houses shortly, to undertake some of the legislative measures necessary to provide maternity leave for female Members.