asked the Minister for Labour if any progress has been made in declaring 1st May a national holiday; and, if so, the present position in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Holiday Declaration.
59.
As I indicated when taking the Second Stage of the Holidays (Employees) Bill in October, 1973, I feel that a phased approach is necessary in increasing the number of public holidays which we have here in Ireland to bring us closer to the European norm.
With that end in mind, I added an extra public holiday on 1st January giving us at present a total of seven.
In deciding the next public holiday, it is my intention to add the holiday in question to a weekend to give maximum advantage to workers. In this connection, 1st May would not in my opinion give that maximum advantage.