asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to proceed with the previous Government's plans to bring about equal pay within the Civil Service; and, if so, if he will explain why a different rate of pay as between men and women was offered in a recent advertisement for a post of information assistant in the Government Information Bureau.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Equal Pay.
109.
I assume the Deputy has in mind equal pay for work of equal value. Such a scheme is being introduced on a phased basis for the Civil Service in line with employment generally. The first steps in this direction are being taken under the provisions of the National Agreement, 1972. The particular type of salary differentiation referred to in the question will be eliminated in the move towards equal pay.
To have offered equal rates of pay in the advertisement to which the Deputy refers would have exceeded the National Agreement as regards the timing and amount of equal pay awards. The Government have undertaken to respect Employer/Labour Conference recommendations in this field. The terms of employment offered in the advertisement conformed with those recommendations.
Is the Minister aware of the announcement made in last year's Budget Statement in regard to the bringing about of equal pay within the Civil Service and the introduction of legislation in that regard? Arising from that, could he indicate whether any steps have been taken by the present Government since they took office to bring that about other than those that were taken before they took office?
As I mentioned in reply to an earlier question, an indication of attitudes is not necessarily proof that the attitudes have been translated into action. The employer-labour conference recommendations in this field have been implemented and that will continue to be the policy of the Government.
Is it not true that the Minister was chancing his arm the other day and trying to create the impression that he and his colleagues had taken some action in this regard when, in fact, they had taken none beyond proceeding with what was announced in last year's budget, and that the 1972 national agreement to which the Minister referred was, of course, concluded before the present Government took office?
I think it is regrettable that the Deputy has not yet overcome his disappointment at being ejected from office. Comments containing as much spleen as he is exhibiting are not helpful.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Minister cannot answer a question and that he is trying to live on another man's work.