Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will remain a member of the Government as a Minister without a portfolio when she takes six months’ maternity leave, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys who is also Minister for Rural and Community Development, will take on a third portfolio as minister for justice from April 30th when Ms McEntee goes on maternity leave, until October 31st. There are no legal provisions to allow TDs to take maternity leave. ‘Special time’Congratulating Ms McEntee and her husband, Paul Hickey, he said this was a very special time in their lives. “Ms McEntee and I agree that she should, of course, be entitled to access the same full period of six months of maternity leave, as any other public servant, like any other woman.

Source: The Irish Times March 11, 2021 13:18 UTC