asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state why, in the case of the positions now vacant in Radio Éireann, he has discriminated so widely in the remuneration offered, as between men and women candidates, seeing that the qualifications are entirely of a cultural or intellectual nature, in which there is no reason to assume that a woman's capability and training are inferior to a man's.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Éireann Positions.
The discrimination made generally as between the salaries offered for men and women for the vacant positions advertised in the Broadcasting Service is in accordance with general Civil Service practice, and I do not consider that the nature of the qualifications required for the posts is not considered a justification for departure from that practice.
Differentiation as between the salaries of men and women has hitherto obtained in Radio Éireann, and so far as recruitment for the orchestra is concerned, the disparity between the rates for men and women is now relatively less than before.
Can the Minister say if there is any reason why a lady violinist, for instance, with better qualifications than a man, should get a lower salary?
I will answer the Deputy as best I can. The general practice in the Civil Service is to make a differentiation and any change in that practice would mean a very big alteration throughout the service.
But is it not unreasonable and illogical?
What about equal rights for all people?
That is a matter that would have to be settled elsewhere.