--- title: Chair of Oireachtas Women's Caucus calls for legislation giving statutory right to maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas to be fast-tracked description: FF image: https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/FionaOLoughlin_PR.jpg --- [ Join ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/join-fianna-fail) [ Donate Now ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/donate-now) Search website: ** Search # Chair of Oireachtas Women's Caucus calls for legislation giving statutory right to maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas to be fast-tracked Published on: 09 August 2024 Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, the Chair of the Oireachtas Women's Caucus, has said that legislation recently approved by Government that would introduce a statutory right to maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas must be fast-tracked once the Oireachtas returns from Summer recess.   The Government approved the drafting of a Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024 in July and it has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting.   Senator O'Loughlin said: *"The statutory right to maternity leave for Oireachtas Members is something that I have consistently called for as Chair of the Women's Caucus and I have had a number of meetings with Minister O'Gorman on the matter.* * * *"I welcome the recent approval by Government for the drafting of legislation that would introduce maternity leave for Oireachtas members. It is vital that this legislation is now fast-tracked as much as possible. * * * *"We have a situation where Deputy Holly Cairns has announced her pregnancy, and I wish her very well with it, but it is simply not right that she has no statutory right to maternity leave. * * * *"What is important now is that we absolutely need to have this legislation in place in time for the next mandate for women who will be coming into the Oireachtas. * * * *"I am also calling for the introduction of paternity leave for Oireachtas members. While the Minister has said that we need to have the maternity leave in place first, which I agree with, it is still beyond time for this and we need to get it resolved as quickly as we possibly can."* * * **-ENDS-** --- ## **Related news:** [![Chairperson of Oireachtas Women's Caucus welcomes publication of Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/FionaOLoughlin_PR.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/chairperson-of-oireachtas-womens-caucus-welcomes-publication-of-review-of-the-enforcement-of-child-maintenance-orders) January 8, 2024 --- ##### [Chairperson of Oireachtas Women's Caucus welcomes publication of Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/chairperson-of-oireachtas-womens-caucus-welcomes-publication-of-review-of-the-enforcement-of-child-maintenance-orders) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/chairperson-of-oireachtas-womens-caucus-welcomes-publication-of-review-of-the-enforcement-of-child-maintenance-orders) [![Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces Oireachtas Committee Chairpersons](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/MichealMartin_PR.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/taoiseach-micheál-martin-announces-oireachtas-committee-chairpersons) April 24, 2025 --- ##### [Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces Oireachtas Committee Chairpersons](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/taoiseach-micheál-martin-announces-oireachtas-committee-chairpersons) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/taoiseach-micheál-martin-announces-oireachtas-committee-chairpersons) [![McAuliffe calls on social media companies to appear before Oireachtas committee](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Paul_McAuliffe_FF_DublinNorthWest-1.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/mcauliffe-calls-on-social-media-companies-to-appear-before-oireachtas-committee) April 26, 2021 --- ##### [McAuliffe calls on social media companies to appear before Oireachtas committee](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/mcauliffe-calls-on-social-media-companies-to-appear-before-oireachtas-committee) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/mcauliffe-calls-on-social-media-companies-to-appear-before-oireachtas-committee) April 26, 2021 --- ##### [Smyth appointed Chair of the Oireachtas Arts Committee](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/smyth-appointed-chair-of-the-oireachtas-arts-committee) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/smyth-appointed-chair-of-the-oireachtas-arts-committee)