asked the Minister for Labour if the Government will consider making May Day a public holiday; and if he has had any discussions with the ICTU on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
18.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Declaration of May Day as Public Holiday.
11.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will make 1 May, May Day, a public holiday in recognition of the major contribution of the trade union movement and of workers generally to the State; whether he is aware that this would bring us in line with most European countries and that it would be in official recognition of how much the working people have done to build our country and how much remains to be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 18 together.
The question of declaring 1 May as a public holiday continues to be under consideration by my Department. Any decision on it would appropriately be taken in the context of a review of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973. In that connection, I note the points made by Deputy Bell in support of the proposal.
I have to say, however, that, having regard to the current economic situation, I would not regard the present as an opportune time to introduce a measure which would give rise to a further increase in costs for employers generally, including the State as an employer.
I have not had any discussions with ICTU on the matter.
I must have the Minister's reply off by heart at this stage. The same reply has been given since April 1984 and perhaps before that. The Minister indicated that a review continues. Could he say how active that review is? When was the last time he or his Department had discussions with the ICTU or the FUE or both? Does the Minister propose to bring forward this year any amendment of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973?
I do not believe the review is very active and I do not see any possibility of bringing forward any amendments in the short term to the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973.
Does the Minister not find it odd that we have one of the lowest public holiday ratios in Europe? We have eight public holidays as against ten in Northern Ireland. Does he agree that we are no worse off and may be slightly better off economically than Northern Ireland and that the economic argument does not stnd up? Does he not agree in any event that the working class deserve to have at least one holiday in their honour?
The arguments have been fairly well thrashed out. My view is that until I see a change for the substantial number of people who have permanent holidays with very little money I cannot envisage a review of the Act taking place.