asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is intended to employ female staff at Ballygireen Radio Station on night duty; and, if so, whether he has satisfied himself that the employment of women on this work is desirable in view of the lack of facilities for access to this isolated place of employment and the prohibition of night work in the case of women industrial workers under the Conditions of Employment Acts; further, if he will ensure that the existing arrangement under which men only are employed on night duty at this station is maintained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballygireen Radio Station.
It is proposed that female staff should be employed at Ballygireen Radio Station and that they should perform night duty in rotation. Special transport facilities with Limerick and Ennis will be provided to bring the staffs to and from the radio station. These officers will be engaged on duties which are appropriate to women. The employment of female staffs on such duties at night is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Conditions of Employment Acts relating to women industrial workers. A number of female writing assistants in the meteorological service at Shannon Airport have been engaged on night duties for some years past, and female teleprinter operators are also employed on night duties by airline companies.