Helen McEntee is set to finish up her duties as Justice Minister as she takes six months of maternity leave tomorrow.
Ms McEntee will remain a Minister but without portfolio and Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys will take over the Justice brief prior to Ms McEntee’s return.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ms McEntee said: “It is really important that women see other women in roles and positions being able to take maternity leave, being able to return to their jobs and return to the positions they were working in before.
“Most importantly, what I hope to see in the future is that this won’t just apply to me but that other Ministers, TDs, senators, councillors, will be able to avail of maternity leave.
“I’ve had nothing but positive responses from colleagues, from my community and constituents and from members of the public and I just want to thank everyone for that support.”
The Meath TD, who is due her first baby next month with her husband Paul, said she hasn’t found out the sex of her baby: “I don’t know. It’s a surprise.”
She said the arrangements put in place for her to take maternity leave was a “sticking plaster”.
Ms McEntee is the first member of Cabinet to be pregnant while in office in the history of the State.
Last week, the Citizens Assembly on gender equality recommended that maternity leave be put in place for all elected representatives.
She said the Citizens Assembly has been asked to make recommendations as to whether legislative or constitutional change might be needed to make this happen.
Ms McEntee added: “There is clear commitment at every level of government to act on that as quickly as possible and to engage where necessary either with the Oireachtas or with members of the public if a constitutional referendum is required.”
Minister McEntee will remain a member of the Government but will have no specific duties or responsibilities.
She will be unable to exercise any powers in relation to the Department of Justice.
She is due to return to her role on November 1.
