asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider making no change in the Whitsun holiday until such time as a decision is reached between the Christian Churches on a fixed date for Easter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Whitsun Holiday.
8.
Mr. Barrett
The Government have already decided that with effect from 1967 the Whit Monday public and bank holiday will be replaced by a fixed public and bank holiday on the first Monday in June, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry into Public Holidays and Bank Holidays. An announcement to this effect was made in the Press and on Radio and Television on 30th April, 1966.
The Commission examined all available material on the question of a fixed date for Easter but concluded that such a development is unlikely to take place for many years and decided that they should base their report on the continuance in the foreseeable future of a movable Easter date.
Mr. Barrett
The Minister has said that there is no great urgency about the decision and will the Minister now reconsider his decision to implement the recommendation of the Commission in 1967 with regard to Whit Monday?
The Government have adopted the proposals of the Commission that a fixed date for Whit Monday should be made but there is no need to connect the fixed date for Whit Monday with a fixed date for Easter Monday which may not come for ten years or so.