Vol. 475 No. 1
252 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will agree to the voluntary opt-out in the proposed 48 hours in the Organisation of Working Time Bill currently before Dáil Éireann; and if his attention has been drawn to opposition to this particular clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4226/97]
The Organisation of Working Time Bill, 1996 is at present before the Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy.
I am very much aware of the views in favour and against the inclusion of an individual opt-out which would permit working hours in excess of a 48 hour week. Following further consultations on this issue with representatives of employers and unions I propose to amend section 15 of the Bill which provides for the 48 hour week to allow a transitional period of two years giving employees the option of working up to 60 hours per week in the first year of operation and 55 hours per week in the second year.
