Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1981

Vol. 327 No. 7

Winter Time Order, 1981: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Mr. Doherty)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order:

Winter Time Order, 1981.

The order complies with an EEC Directive harmonising the starting date for summer time in 1981 and 1982 in EEC member states. The principal effect of the order will be that in the years 1981 and 1982 standard (summer) time will begin one week later than it would have under our present law. A minor consequence will be that the time of change from summer time to winter time and vice versa will be at 1 a.m. in the morning Greenwich mean time, rather than 2 a.m. The-proposed change from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. in respect of the ending of summer time in 1981 and 1982 is not prescribed in the directive but this change brings us into line with European practice. The British authorities have made a similar change.

The Commission considers that the harmonisation of summer time periods would inprove the efficiency of transport, communications, commerce and contacts generally between the countries concerned. Discussions with a view to standardising the "summer time" provisions in the EEC member have been going on for several years. There are various problems, including of course the fact that natural time in this country is substantially different from that of, say, Germany or Italy. So far all that has been agreed is the starting dates for summer time in 1981 and 1982. Discussions towards achieving further harmonisation are continuing. I now call on the house to approve this order.

Mr. Keating

Briefly, I just want to say that there is no objection or disagreement in principle with what the Minister has said here. I do however want to make three observations. I would like to know if the Minister has had discussions with those who would be most affected by such a change. I am thinking particularly of parents and/or school authorities where children will be affected in terms of their schoolgoing because of the risks associated with it in certain parts of the country.

Second, I consider that it might be timely, since this is yet another example of an area where decisions are influenced by the increasing centre of power which Brussels and Europe are becoming, for us to review the impact of legislation generally at European level to know how it is affecting us locally. Here is an example of a case where on the surface the substance of change is not major. I would like just to say aloud what I am sure increasing numbers of people are thinking, and that is that it is arguable at least that it is time this House undertook a review of European legislation, directives and decision making in terms of their impact on Irish life and Irish society.

Third, I would like to be assured that the farming interests and the interests representing industry and the school authorities and parents had some chance to make a comment in respect of the implications of this legislation and this directive on their lifestyles.

Finally, one could say, as the Minister said in his introduction, that there are various problems, including the fact that natural time here is substantially different from Germany or Italy. I agree that natural time here is different. If some of the improvements that someone like Deputy Kelly, my colleague, regularly refers to in terms of our ability to improve standards of natural timekeeping were to be effected by this change I would welcome it. Anything which helps towards greater efficiency and harmonisation is welcome. Perhaps the Minister would comment briefly in his reply on the degree of consultation that Irish interest groups have been afforded and give us also some indication of what the development of this concept means. He has mentioned that at the moment all we have agreed on is the starting date for summer time. What is down the road and what are the implications of it?

Mr. Tully

I agree that it is timely to bring this in. I feel that, even if we never were in the EEC, we should have the times harmonised. I always considered that it was ridiculous that we should have different times here from across the water and on the Continent. At present there is so much travelling backwards and forwards that it is ridiculous that we should have a different starting and finishing time.

I would not quite agree with the previous speaker. I would say, with regard to the schools and industry, that they will find their own way of getting around this, particularly the schools which have had staggered times for many years. The farmers will usually look after themselves. The one thing which I missed in the statement made by the Minister is the actual date. I am surprised that the date was not put in it because then we would know what we are talking about.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Mr. Doherty)

I am taking the last point first. The commencing date this year of summer time is 29 March and next year 28 March. In relation to the question posed by Deputy Keating, discussions at EEC level involving the Minister, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Transport have been taking place. As I have said, the purpose of this change is to harmonise ourselves with other European countries. Effectively, the change means that while some countries were a week ahead of us and others were a week behind us, we are putting ourselves on the one footing in this connection. Furthermore, discussions in relation to the harmonisation of winter time are at present going on and it is hoped to achieve harmonisation in that regard as soon as possible.

Question put and agreed to.