asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the number of statutory paid holidays for industrial workers in Ireland is among the lowest in Europe: and whether he has at present under consideration any plans to increase either the number of paid annual holidays or the number of paid public holidays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Workers' Paid Holidays.
38.
Due to differences in the national legislation and practice of the various European countries, it is difficult to make exact comparisons. However, in so far as I understand it, seven out of thirteen of these countries have statutory provisions relating to annual holidays which are, in a general way, more favourable than our legislation. On the same general basis, it would appear that the position here is as good as, or better than, the position in the remaining six.
In regard to public holidays, the practice varies so widely, not alone from country to country but from area to area within individual countries, that it is even more difficult to make direct comparisons.
As the Deputy is aware, legislation to increase the statutory minimum holiday entitlement of all workers was enacted as recently as August, 1961, and I have no plans under consideration at present for further legislation on this subject.
Could the Minister say to what six countries he refers when he says they are as good as, or better than, ourselves in respect of public holidays or annual holidays?
It would be very difficult to give a list of countries. There are six countries in which adult workers up to a certain age are in a position less favourable than here. On the other hand, there are other countries where young workers have a longer number of total holidays. It would be extremely difficult to make exact comparisons.
Maybe the Minister would give us an idea of the countries?
The Deputy had better put down another question and we will see if a better analogy could be used.
Would the Minister say what is the source of his information?
The source is the British Ministry of Labour Gazette and was given in a table quoted in the Report of the Common Market SubCommittee of the National Employer-Labour Conference.