asked the Minister for Labour when it is intended to increase the number of public holidays to bring the number of public holidays more into line with the norm operating in most other EC countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Holidays.
11.
I have to say that I do not consider the question of increasing the number of public holidays to be a priority concern at this stage. I am aware that most member states of the European Community have more public holidays than this country but I do not regard this as a valid reason for contemplating an increase here at a time of economic difficulty and high unemployment.
In my view, the concentration of our efforts for the foreseeable future should be on safeguarding existing jobs and on creating the environment in which more employment can be generated. The concession of additional paid leisure time for people who are at work would, if anything, serve as a disincentive to employment creation. I do not, therefore, contemplate any change in the existing number of public holidays.
Would the Minister agree that he has taken up a different position from that taken by previous Ministers? There seems to have been a shift in attitude. Would he indicate what stage the discussions which we were previously told in this House were taking place between his Department and the employer organisations have reached in relation to establishing 1 May as a public holiday?
With regard to this question, this time last year I created the new status. There are no talks that I am involved in. If they are going on, they are at official level. Quite frankly, I can see no future in the next few years in talking about additional public holidays.
Does the Minister not think that the traditional public holiday of May Day, which is acknowledged virtually worldwide and, indeed, 10 of the EC countries as a tribute to the role which the workers of a country play in the economy and society, would be well worth pursuing and well worth providing in encouraging an incentive to workers?
I am not ruling out a review in better economic times, which I hope are not too far away. That is one day that could be looked at, but I could think of other days.