Vol. 454 No. 5
19 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if the Irish submission on the proposed directive on organisation of working time has been made to the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/95]
A Council Directive, 93/104 EC, on the organisation of working time was adopted in November 1993 and provides for minimum standards in relation to working time and rest time to protect the occupational safety and health of workers. The directive applies to all sectors of activity with the exception of air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway and lake transport, work at sea and the activities of doctors in training.
Member states are required to ensure that the provisions of the directive, with certain exceptions, are implemented in national legislation by November 1996. In line with a commitment given in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, my Department is engaged in ongoing consultations with the social partners and other interested parties with a view to formulating legislative proposals to implement the terms of the directive.
In regard to the sectors which are excluded from the Directive on the organisation of working time, the European Commission has indicated in its Medium Term Social Action Programme, 1995-97, that discussions with the social partners and — or studies will continue on how best to ensure that those sectors are appropriately covered. The Commission has also indicated that, if necessary, it will consider bringing forward proposals to complete the working time directive in 1996-97.
In view of the above position, the question of an Irish submission to the EU Commission does not arise. However, my Department will continue to monitor developments in this area on an ongoing basis.
