'Universally accessible' toilet and infant feeding room to be built in Leinster House under new plan

Fianna Fáil senator Alison Comyn, head of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus, said the feeding room was 'well overdue'.

A new baby feeding room and accessible toilets are to be built in Leinster House under proposals currently being considered.

There is currently no “universally accessible” toilet in LH2000, the more modern wing of the Kildare Street campus, that “meets current building regulations”.

The block, which houses the Oireachtas Committee rooms, was constructed in the late 1990s.

It has now been proposed a new accessible toilet and an infant feeding room should be created there.

It has been suggested two single-sex toilets, based at the entrance level, should be converted into one fully accessible toilet.

“While LH2000 was fully compliant with the building regulations at the time of construction, there is no universally accessible toilet on the side of the campus that meets the current building regulations and can accommodate a motorised wheelchair,” the proposal stated.

It is also seeking to convert a meeting room to provide a family and infant feeding room.

“The conversion of the Meeting Room B to a family room would deliver on the recommendations of the Family Friendly Forum and on the equality, diversion and inclusion strategy,” the proposal continues.

“Collocated with the universal toilet facility, it would be a valuable hub for visitors and members alike.

“The WC, which is essentially an accessibility project, can proceed with or without the family room element as agreed.”

Fianna Fáil senator Alison Comyn, head of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus, said the feeding room was “well overdue” and the idea had been put forward by the group.

She told the Irish Examiner more women of all ages were needed in politics and must be enabled to work and have a family at the same time.

She pointed to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who is currently expecting her second child with her partner Barry Looney, as an example.

“We need to see women from all walks of life, from all stages [in politics],” she said.

“It shouldn't just be that you've reared your family, and now you've more time to do it.

“We need the voices at every stage in life.”

An Oireachtas spokesperson said “no decision has been made on the provision of a family room as part of this project”.

“As the tendering process is currently in train, costs cannot be confirmed at this point,” he added.