I ask the Leas-Chathaoirleach to allow me some indulgence in respect of my time. I raise the issue of cancer services during Covid and post Covid. I was shocked to hear that Professor Seamus O'Reilly, an oncologist from Cork, told the European Parliament that the impact of Covid will set cancer care services back ten years. I am asking the Minister and the Leader to ensure this does not happen. We cannot afford for cancer services to be held back or to go back in time by ten years. Very disappointingly, BreastCheck found that screenings fell by more than two thirds in 2020. That represents 600 cancers it has failed to diagnose. Breast cancer and other cancers are not going away. The numbers are not dramatically increasing out of thin air. All Members have family members affected by cancer and know that early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial. If a person with cancer is among the lucky ones whose cancer goes into remission, post-cancer screening is exceptionally important to ensure there are no relapses and that if there is a relapse, it can be treated and nipped in the bud immediately. I am asking the Leader to facilitate a debate in the House on cancer services. I know colleagues have raised this issue. It is really important that cancer services do not fall behind by five years.

I wish to raise quickly a second issue. As a result of the sitting arrangements in the context of Covid, I will not be able to attend Private Members' business later this evening to speak in support of the period poverty legislation brought forward by my colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee. I hope the Bill gets support from across the House. I know other Members have tabled similar legislation. It is great to see women-specific legislation on the Order Paper and being debated in the House. Senator Clifford-Lee has been working on this issue for a long time, including in the previous Seanad. She has helped councillors in Longford and Kilkenny to bring motions on the issue and has supported other councillors who will be bringing motions in their local authorities. I hope this legislation can be supported across the House.

Today is International Epilepsy Day. Some 40,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy. Many people do not realise so many people have it. We need to show awareness and a bit of education with regard to epilepsy.

I wish to use the brief time I have to discuss the issue raised by Senator Sherlock in respect of parental leave. I know she asked for clarity from the Minister. I hope to be able to afford her clarity. It is absolutely the case that the legislation will be retrospective. Everyone who has had a child since November 2019 will be entitled to the five weeks' leave. In spite of the length of time the legislation may take, there is no question of anyone not receiving that to which they are entitled. Changes have to be made to the Adoptive Leave Act to ensure that same-sex couples who may not be birth parents will also be entitled to that leave. I hope to give that clarity and assurance to people. I know there is anxiety around the issue but we need to make sure that anyone who has had a child in Covid times has that security and can know that, no matter how long they have to wait for the legislation, they will still be entitled to that leave. It is paid leave. This is a crucial part of the programme for Government. As all present will know, many parts of the programme for Government are around parents, children and women. We need to get those commitments onto the Statute Book to ensure that people have the support required so we have a society that is not only successful economically, but that also values its women, children and parents across the board, regardless of their gender.