Clare’s first ever female TD has cast doubt on whether proposals to extend maternity leave to elected politicians are workable.
Madeline-Taylor Quinn’s remarks echo those of former Minister Nora Owen, who said this weekend that she doesn’t believe the public would be “thankful” if Justice Minister Helen McEntee were to take maternity leave when she gives birth later this year.
Minister McEntee will become the first serving Cabinet minister to give birth later this year, and it’s reported that she intends to take six months’ leave.
Madeline Taylor-Quinn’s two children were born while she was serving as a TD for Clare, and she’s told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that she thinks it would be very likely that women TDs would suffer in the ballot box if they were to take maternity leave.
