There are reports today that IBEC has raised concerns about the introduction of statutory domestic violence leave. Will the Government commit to moving forward swiftly with the adoption of such legislation? We believe most employers want to ensure supports are available to employees and workers experiencing domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. They want to offer them those supports. The legislation going through the House deserves cross-party support on that basis to ensure a compassionate workplace. Labour introduced a similar Bill in the Seanad to ensure that reproductive health-related leave would be available to employees enduring early miscarriage. We believe amendments to the Organisation of Working Time Act could be brought forward to ensure statutory leave for those suffering domestic violence and for those who need time off for reproductive health-related reasons, including early miscarriage. Will the Taoiseach commit to ensuring speedy passage of that legislation for employees' rights?

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. Since its formation, the Government has made it clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority. The Government has approved the recommendations in the report prepared by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave. On its introduction, Ireland will be one of the first countries in Europe to adopt domestic violence paid leave. The provisions will be introduced by means of Committee Stage amendments to the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill which is before the Houses at present.

I believe the Deputy is aware of the six recommendations from the domestic violence leave report. Work is under way to implement that. We will work with all the organisations to ensure there is buy-in for it.

I was also absolutely appalled today to read that the business lobby group, IBEC, has objected to the Government's plan to bringing in legislation on paid leave for victims of domestic abuse. Asking people who have suffered domestic abuse to provide proof that they have actually suffered that abuse is retraumatising. This level of disbelief and distrust is exactly why victims do not come forward. I ask not only that the Government commit to the speedy implementation of this Bill, but also that it will never be the case that people will have to prove they have suffered domestic abuse to avail of that leave.

We need to be sensitive about this in the sense that it is a very difficult situation for people to find themselves in. It is not as if people are going to use this as some sort of excuse. That will not happen. It is very difficult for a person to have to come forward and say, "I need leave because of domestic abuse." The report recommends that we provide supports to employers so that they can develop their own domestic violence leave policy. This relates to policy and culture within an organisation. This will ensure that domestic violence victims will be dealt with appropriately in their workplaces and will ensure there is a pathway for domestic violence leave requests to be handled sensitively. A tender for the provision of these support services will issue in the coming days. That is one recommendation we are following up on. That domestic violence leave will be introduced-----

We are out of time.

It must be without the need for proof.

I think there needs to be a process. I am with the Deputy on that.