Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Millennium Work.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

33 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the attempt, if any, she has made to provide guidelines for agreements on pay and conditions for millennium work, that is, hours between 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15859/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

The date of 31 December 1999 has been declared a public holiday, in recognition of the uniqueness of the occasion in all of our lifetimes. There are, however, sectors where it may be necessary for employees to attend work on 31 December.

It is recognised that in certain industrial sectors, such as the hotel and catering sector and the information technology and related sectors, there will be a requirement for a large number of employees to be present at their places of work on this special day. In the public sector, indications from the Garda and the health services and others engaged in essential services, are that the occasion will result in increased labour requirements for the millennium weekend.

Special arrangements for occasions such as the New Year's Eve holiday are in the normal course of industrial relations, matters to be addressed through negotiation between employers and employees involved, or their representatives.

Workers have minimum statutory rights and entitlements under the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, in relation to work on public holidays and these must be fully respected. It is of particular importance, in relation to the occasion in question, that attention should be paid to such matters as maximum hours of work, hours of rest, and night work. Furthermore, the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 prohibits the employment of 16-17 year olds beyond 10 p.m. as a matter of health and safety.

I do not consider it appropriate for me to provide detailed guidelines for agreements on pay and conditions for millennium work, other than to encourage the parties concerned to work together to ensure that 31 December will be a good occasion for everybody.