Cavan County Council is to urge the government to press ahead with proposed legislation which would provide leave for parents who suffer the loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth. Fianna Fáil Councillor Áine Smith raised the matter at the latest council meeting this week.
Cllr Smith said constituents in her Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District have approached her asking that their grief is recognised by the state by making it legislation that men and women are given time off work if a pregnancy ends in loss.
The motion received support from male and female councillors from other parties in the chamber. One female councillor said she had personal experience of miscarriage "many years ago" and recounted how it "has a detrimental effect on your mental health". Áine Smith told Northern Sound she hopes the government will introduce the new policy by the end of the year because it affects so many people.
"Obviously, the female is going through a huge thing physically and mentally and so, obviously is the father of the child going through this as well," Cllr Smith told Northern Sound, "So, it's important that we look after people who are going through such a horrible time. It's devastating for families," she continued, "and I think that's why we need to look after people; to ensure Minister O'Gorman brings this through as soon as possible."
