asked the Minister for Justice if the Government propose to follow the British decision to revert to Greenwich Mean Time next year.
79.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Standard Time.
78.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to adhere to Standard Time next year or to adopt Greenwich Mean Time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
80.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the decision taken in Britain to revert to Greenwich Mean Time, it is proposed to take any action in this regard in this country; and, if so, when.
81.
asked the Minister for Justice whether any change is contemplated in relation to Standard Time.
82.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans for amending legislation so as to revert back to the system of winter time in view of the fact that the present system of time is causing danger to children attending schools, is inconvenient to farmers at their work in the mornings and is generally unsatisfactory for the building industry.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 to 82 together.
The matter is under consideration.
When will the Minister be in a position to bring this legislation to revert to Greenwich Mean Time before the House? There is widespread dissatisfaction among farming organisations, parents of school going children in country areas, among Post Office workers and generally about the present situation.
I cannot accept what the Deputy seems to take for granted, that whatever legislation might be brought before the House will necessarily be for the purpose of reverting to the original system. I and the Government have an open mind. We shall consider the matter shortly. There is no great urgency because it does not arise until the end of October, 1971.
Does the Minister not agree that we have no alternative but to revert to the old system?
I do not agree.
Did we not follow Britain into this? Of course we will follow them again. This is obvious. We shall definitely go back to the old system.
Not necessarily. I have an open mind on the matter.
There is no doubt whatever that we will go back to the old system.
The Deputy is giving information.
Does the Deputy approve of that?
Of course.
Then he wants to follow Britain?
Why not follow Britain when they have realised their mistake?
Does the Minister not agree that it will cause a certain amount of confusion if we are on one time and Britain are on another?
But we shall have the same time as Europe. We must begin looking towards Europe now.
(Interruptions.)
We have an open mind on the matter.