Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - Legislation Reform.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

The Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 states that the review of the Conditions of Employment legislation dating from the 1930s will lead to new or amending legislation to bring the relevant Acts into line with modern employment conditions taking account of the EC Directive on Working Time expected to be adopted in 1993.

The Conditions of Employment legislation is comprised of six Acts dating from the 1930s which regulate working time in industry and in the retail trade. This legislation is largely informed by conditions and consideraions which were current more than 50 years ago. A number of provisions, in the interim, have been repealed or altered by subsequent enactments and certain of those that remain are no longer of relevance in a contemporary context.

In pursuance of a commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the Acts have been under review in my Department to determine the options which need to be considered for the repeal or amendment of the legislation. However, in tandem with this review, consideration is being given to a proposed EC Directive on the Organisation of Working Time. It is understood that this Directive will be on the agenda of the Social Affairs Council for the adoption of a common position next month. If adopted, the Directive will form the basis for a new framework for the regulation of working time in most employments.

The introduction of such a regulatory framework would require implementing national legislation and a consequent replacement of the existing Conditions of Employment legislation. It will be apparent, therefore, that the timing for the introduction of new or amending legislation on the regulation of working time is linked to the adoption of the Working Time Directive and the specified dates for the impelmentation of that Directive. It is not possible to be more specific on this issue in advance of the final adoption of that Directive.