Vol. 514 No. 1
83 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government will declare International Women's Day on 8 March a public holiday in 2000 in recognition of the contribution of women, nationally and internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26676/99]
101 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public holidays; the way in which this compares with the EU average; if her attention has been drawn to the suggestion by an organisation (details supplied) that 1 February should be made a public holiday to recognise the contribution made by women to the wealth and health of the nation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3488/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 101 together.
The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, sets out the statutory rights for employees in respect of holiday entitlements. The Act provides for the following nine public holidays per year: – 1 January (New Year's Day); St. Patrick's Day; Easter Monday; the first Monday in May; the first Monday in June; the first Monday in August; the last Monday in October; Christmas Day; St. Stephen's Day.
The average public holiday entitlement in the EU at present is approximately 11 days annually.
The Government recognises and values deeply the great contribution rendered by women to the betterment of society both in Ireland and throughout the world. Accordingly it welcomes the designation by the UN of International Women's Day on 8 March 2000 as a day on which to call world attention to, and to celebrate, that great contribution. However, there are no plans to mark International Women's Day or 1 February, or indeed any other days in the foreseeable future, as public holidays.
