Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 5th August, 2016.

I, FRANCES FITZGERALD, Minister for Justice and Equality, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 1 (2) of the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (No.11 of 2016), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (Commencement) Order 2016.

2. The 1st day of August 2016 is appointed as the day on which the following provisions of the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (No. 11 of 2016) come into operation:

(a) section 1;

(b) section 2, other than paragraph (b)(iii) of the definition of relevant parent in subsection (1) of that section;

(c) sections 3 to 5;

(d) Parts 2 to 4;

(e) Part 6.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

30 July 2016.

FRANCES FITZGERALD,

Minister for Justice and Equality.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order brings the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 into operation, other than an element of section 2 (as this provision is contingent on the relevant provision of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 being commenced separately) and Part 5 (which relates to Paternity Benefit, and will be commenced separately by the Minister for Social Protection).

The Act creates an entitlement to 2 weeks’ paternity leave from employment in relation to children born on or after 1 September 2016.