asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he intends to introduce proposals for legislation to extend to all workers the right to annual holidays and payment for public holidays as is already provided by legislation for certain workers, and, if so, when such proposals for legislation will be introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Holidays For Workers.
As I informed the Dáil on November 17th, 1937, on the occasion of the Second Reading of the Shop Assistants (Conditions of Employment) (No. 2) Bill, I am having prepared and hope to introduce proposals extending the benefits of annual holidays with pay to workers who are not covered under that Act or the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936. The examination of these proposals is now almost completed in my Department, and I anticipate that it will be possible to have the Bill introduced at an early date.
Do I understand that all these workers not covered by existing legislation will be enabled to claim annual holidays and payment for public holidays under the legislation the Minister now contemplates introducing?
That will depend on when the legislation is passed.
Do I take it that it is intended to give the Minister's proposals legislative effect this year?
It is intended to introduce and enact the legislation as quickly as possible.
And to make it operative this year?
That will depend on a number of factors, not all of which are under my control.
If the Minister gets an assurance that we will facilitate the passage of this legislation, will he say that it will be made operative?
I shall try to get the proposals passed into law as quickly as possible.