asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the principle of equal pay for women operates in his Department; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equal Pay.
27.
The rates of pay payable to women employed in my Department are those determined by the Minister for the Public Service and I have no function in the determination of those rates.
In other words the Minister is saying that the principle of equal pay does not operate in the Departments of Health and Social Welfare.
These Departments form part of the public sector.
Is it the Minister's intention to operate this principle in the Departments for which he is responsible especially in view of the convoluted statement this morning on this issue although this statement is no more than a cosmetic effort used for the purpose of getting some Deputies off the hook?
This is absolutely irrelevant to the question.
It is irrelevant.
However, the Deputy will have ample opportunity of discussing this matter shortly.
I am asking the Minister whether the principle of equal pay operates in the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and, if not, whether it is his intention to have that principle implemented?
Within a very short time the Deputy will have the advantage of seeing the proposed amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act.
When will this amending legislation be circulated?
I am not the Minister for Labour so I cannot give the Deputy that information.
Question No. 28.
Can we expect it within a week or is the bluff to continue for another week?
The Deputy would not need to ask that question if he had been here this morning when the matter was raised.
I have been very much in attendance here during the past couple of days.
He does not appear to have heard the reply given by the Taoiseach to a question on this matter by the Leader of the Opposition.
I heard the answer but, as usual, it was one of non-information.
I cannot give the precise date for the introduction of this amending legislation.
I am calling Question No. 28.
A question here yesterday on the equal pay issue was ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle, but last night the Government Information Services were able to supply the information sought.
The Deputy should be ruled out of order now.
The Chair has called the next question.