I thank Deputy Lawlor for bringing forward the Bill. We Donegal TDs are geographically isolated and, as some Deputies have said, when it comes to working, people think living in Donegal is akin to being in a different country. Remote working in Donegal does work, has worked and will continue to work, and I believe this Bill will enhance that. When we talk about practical experiences, we are talking about people who travel from Inishowen into Letterkenny. They might leave nearly an hour to go out and have an hour's drive to come back in the evening. Then, when they come home, they have to take their kids to their activities. This is adding up every single day with the likes of soccer and GAA, but no matter what, these activities have to happen to allow the communities to thrive. Making sure this work-life balance is in place is vital, but it is also vital to ensure that rural communities thrive. At the moment, without this being brought in and coming to pass, these communities are dwindling. For Donegal, the benefits are clear. Remote working reduces commuting costs. It supports families with their responsibilities and retains skilled workers. They need flexibility for arrangements that are made, particularly with the situation we have in Donegal with the defective concrete crisis. Many households have been displaced and forced to leave their homes due to structural defects. They are balancing their work with inspections and repairs in their homes. Remote work allows them to do this and remain employed while managing these disruptions to their lives. Supporting this Bill is not about limiting employers. It is about creating a fair, clear framework where employees and employers can engage constructively. I urge all members of Dáil Éireann to push this because they have to go back to their constituents and when they are telling them about their work-life balance, we have a responsibility to try to improve their work-life balance.

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