asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939.
I have, on many occasions, stated my view that improvements in the conditions of employment of workers, over and above those prescribed by legislation, can be more satisfactorily arranged by the negotiation of voluntary agreements between representative organisations of employers and employees. Legislation to amend the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939, is not at present in contemplation.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that it is not so much a question of negotiation between the employer and the employee? There are certain wage figures quoted in the Act which are very much out of date and which, I think the Parliamentary Secretary will agree, need to be jacked up.
This matter was considered previously and the position at the moment is, as I have already told the Deputy in answer to his question, that legislation to amend the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939, is not at present in contemplation.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that some of those wage figures which are included in that Act are very much out of date?
That is a separate question.
That is debating the issue.