asked the Minister for Labour when legislation will be initiated to restore parity of paid holidays for agricultural workers under the Holidays Act, 1973, and for the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee for agricultural workers under the Industrial Relations Acts.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Workers' Holidays.
125.
The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is having a Bill prepared for introduction in the House as soon as possible to amend the Agricultural Workers (Holidays) Acts so as to restore the holiday entitlement of agricultural workers to parity with that of other workers under the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973.
With regard to the establishment of a joint labour committee for agricultural workers, I have had discussions in the matter with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries who has been in consultation with the farming organisations involved.
The question of the establishment of a joint labour committee for agricultural workers will be considered by the Government in the near future.
Business suspended at 4 p.m. and resumed at 6 p.m.