Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1996 > Committee on Women's Rights (4th Committee) > Report No. 04 - Impact of European Equality Legislation on Women's Affairs in Ireland: Implementation of the 3rd Action Programme and Recommendations for Implementation of the 4th Action Programme

ANNEX 2

ADDENDUM TO RESEARCHER’S REPORT

ADDENDUM

“Please note that paragraph 4.2(iv) (a) of the report, entitled ‘Paternity Leave’ should be amended to read as follows:

Recent advances in maternity leave as a result of the Pregnancy Directive are welcome, but progress must now be made in the area of paternity leave. The E.C. Directive on Parental Leave (footnote: Directive 96/34; to be implemented by 3 June 1998) which allows an optional unpaid leave period of up to three months to be taken by a parent at any time up to their child’s 8th birthday, is a step in the right direction. However consideration should also be given to introducing compulsory paid paternity leave in an attempt to minimise the practical disadvantages of employing women of childbearing years. The responsibility of childbirth and childrearing must be allowed to fall as equally as is biologically possible on both mothers and fathers.

Recommendations

•The implementation of a directive on paternity leave which would provide a period of paid time off work for all fathers.”