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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Oct 1979

Vol. 316 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Commission Work Proposals.

11.

asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, to discuss EEC Commission proposals for work-sharing, a 35-hour week, reduction in overtime, and so on, at the meeting of the European Council in Dublin in November and if the introduction of such measures constitutes a priority for Ireland's presidency of the EEC.

It is probable that the agenda for the European Council in Dublin in November will include an item on the economic situation which will permit discussion of employment, including the issue of work-sharing. However, the present situation is that no formal proposals relevant to work-sharing have been made by the Commission. It is expected that certain proposals from the Commission which will deal with excessive overtime and "alternative training" will be forthcoming shortly and that such proposals will come before the Council of Social Affairs Ministers during the Irish Presidency. It is unlikely that consideration of these proposals will be completed during the Irish Presidency.

Is the Taoiseach in a position to say what measures will constitute a priority for Ireland in the Presidency?

That is a separate question.

It is outside the scope of the question.

I have asked if this measure would constitute——

What would be a priority within this? As far as I know the Commission are not expected to report until about the last week of October on this broad issue. The Social Affairs Ministers will not meet until some time late in November. That would give very little time between then and the European Council meeting in Dublin to consider any issue. We will have to await the report of the Commission to decide what might constitute a priority situation.

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