It is proposed to take No. 12 (resumed). By agreement, the debate on No. 12 will be concluded at 6.45 p.m. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (Motion No 23, resumed).
Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Labour about No. 17 on the Order Paper, the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) (Amendment) Bill, 1975? On 7th April last, I asked when we could expect a statement from the Government clarifying the situation in view of the confusion that has been created. On that morning the Minister for Labour said he would issue a statement shortly. I want to know now when we may expect that statement from him.
What the Deputy sought that morning was information about the status of the amending Bill which was before the House. On that matter no formal communication has been received as yet from the Commission in Brussels. On the general position of the Equal Pay Bill, 1974, it was made abundantly clear during the passage of that amending Bill here recently that if Brussels were not accepting the amending Bill, the full terms of the 1974 Equal Pay Bill would apply. Although no formal communication has been received from Brussels on the amending Bill, it is clear from statements made from Brussels that the terms of the amending Bill will not be accepted and therefore, as I have made clear in this House and elsewhere, the full terms of the 1974 Equal Pay Bill apply. However, shortly, as soon as a formal communication is received from Brussels, I will make a statement in the House.