Mary Flaherty
Question:19 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has set to ensure the implementation of the EC pregnancy Directive in 1994.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Directive on Pregnancy in Employment.
Mary Flaherty
Question:28 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to implement the EC Directive on pregnancy in employment by the target date of October, 1994.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 28 together.
The Government has recently approved my proposals for legislation on this issue and the Bill has been sent for drafting by the parliamentary draftsman. I intend to publish the text of the Bill later this year in time for consideration by the Oireachtas before the date for implementation of the directive. My colleagues, the Ministers for Enterprise and Employment and Social Welfare, are also considering appropriate measures to give effect to the directive in so far as their areas of responsibility, health and safety protection and social security matters, respectively, arise. In addition, my Department has written to employer and trade union organisations so that necessary consultations on the proposals can take place.
I welcome the Minister's announcement and hope that this legislation will be in place before the date of the directive.