The Oireachtas should set an example in the provision of adequate childcare, Ms Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Labour, Kerry South) told the House.
No maternity leave was afforded to TDs, there was no crèche in Leinster House and there were no facilities where a mother could breastfeed her child, she pointed out.
"Politics is not a family-friendly business. It is shameful that in 2004, despite proposals for a crèche in Leinster House circulating for many years, there is still no sign of one.
"Women representatives with children need the full support of a partner who is willing to spend more time at home with the children. This is made even more difficult for those who live outside Dublin.
"It is clear that an awful lot of work needs to be done on this issue within the Dáil itself as well as outside."
Ms Moynihan-Cronin added: "If the onus of responsibility for childcare were placed on many of my male colleagues, and on the shoulders of the male representatives who have come before, we would have a first-class crèche and parental rights here in Leinster House."
She was speaking during a debate on the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced by the Minister of State for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Willie O'Dea.
Mr O'Dea said the Bill gave effect to the outstanding recommendations of the working group on the review and improvement of maternity protection legislation as well as containing other important improvements agreed by the Government last October.
There was, he said, provision for breastfeeding mothers, with an entitlement, without loss of pay, to a reduction of working hours, as well as breastfeeding breaks until the child was six months old.
Mr Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin South-Central) said that fathers had responsibilities as well as rights.
"This is particularly the case where fathers leave all responsibilities of children with the mothers," he said. "Some fathers make no effort to contribute towards the support of their children, but instead enjoy the bohemian life while the mother is tied to the child, even if she is working."
He added that he supported John Waters, of The Irish Times, in his argument for giving men a fair crack of the whip.
"However, there is a case for men to take on their share of paternal responsibility, particularly those who might not be in the family home."