asked the Minister for the Public Service when the Government proposes to give effect to the commitment under equal pay legislation and EEC directives for equal pay for men and women in the public sector.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equal Pay Proposals.
11.
If the Deputy is referring to the position in relation to marriage-differentiated pay scales, I must point out that no commitment of the kind referred to by him is involved.
Differences related to sex have been eliminated from these scales with effect from 31st December, 1975. The present position complies with the requirements of both the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974 and the EEC Directive on equal pay.
The Minister does not believe his reply any more than anyone on this side of the House. In view of the Government's failure to meet their commitment under the EEC Directive and their intended commitment under the 1974 Equal Pay Bill, have the Government had any communication from the European Commission in recent times on this subject?
A communication was received from the EEC earlier this year to which a reply was sent in August. Nothing has since been heard in the matter.
Can the Minister give the terms of the communication from the EEC at that time?
I do not have it with me.
Could the Minister give the effect of the communication in broad outline?
The effect of the communication was that we are complying with the EEC requirement.
Why did the Minister have to reply so?
A good thing cannot be stated too often.
Question No. 12, Deputy John O'Leary.
(Interruptions.)
If I call a question and the Minister is replying, it is a bit much to expect to go back to a previous question. I will allow the Deputy a very brief question, and then I am passing on.
Surely the Minister can give a broad text of the communication from Brussels, not of his reply to them, which as the Minister knows is still being considered by the European Commission as a breach of the directive from them?
It is totally wrong to say it is being considered in that way. The Government were notified, as though we did not know it already, that a communication had been received in Brussels saying that the State was not complying with the directive. The information furnished by us last August has not since been commented upon.
Why did the Minister drop the Bill?
Question No. 12, please.
We will hear more about it.