asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the introduction of equal pay legislation for women, he considers it advisable to advertise differences in salary scales as was the case in recent advertisements by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salary Scale Advertisements.
55.
From the end of this year, it will be illegal to insert such advertisements under the terms of the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, which was passed by the Oireachtas last year.
At present, the insertion of such details in advertisements is a matter for the Civil Service Commission.
Could I ask the Minister if he would not regard it as undesirable, particularly in regard to his Department and at the present time, that while the minimum salary scale advertised for the positions we have spoken about was comparable, the maximum salary scale was not? Would he not regard it as inadvisable in view of the proposed introduction of legislation that advertisements of this kind should come from his Department?
I think it has been inadvisable since 1971, since the interim report of the Commission on the Status of Women was available. It has been inappropriate since 1972 since the Minister for Finance of that Administration said that the objectives of that interim report were the national objectives. It is inappropriate. From January on, when our legislation comes into effect, such advertisements will no longer be possible.
Realising that attitudes have to be changed.
And Administrations have changed also.
The Minister in his public statement has always insisted that attitudes would have to be changed. Would he not agree that his Department by continuing to advertise discriminatory rates are, in fact, helping to harden attitudes?
As I explained to the Deputy, the framing of the advertisements is a matter for the Civil Service Commission. The Deputy knows that it would be a bad thing to interfere with the workings of the Civil Service Commission.
Question No. 56.
While accepting that——
The Chair must exercise some control over Question Time.
This is important. We have already passed legislation. Let us seek to see to it that this discrimination is ended.
We cannot use Question Time for argument.
Would the Minister not now accept that it would be advisable to discuss the continuation of this practice by the Civil Service Commission in the months between now and 31st December?
All such advertisements have the proviso that the equal pay provisions come into effect in January and the Deputy knows that the legislation passed by the Oireachtas set January as the date. There is nothing we can do about that. That was the decision of the Oireachtas.
Would the Minister not agree that he could have equal pay specified in his advertisements in the absence of legislation?
As I have already indicated, the law we passed indicated January. That is the date set.
For this six months you do not have to do it.
I will give some examples in the next reply.