asked the Minister for Labour if he anticipates the need for further legislation to promote, induce, force or otherwise achieve equality for women in employment and employment opportunities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equality for Women.
7.
Equality for women in employment is provided for in (a) The Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, which gives a legal entitlement to equal pay for like work, and (b) The Employment Equality Act, 1977, which makes it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of sex or marital status in regard to recruitment for employment, working conditions and in access to training and promotional opportunities.
Under the 1977 Act the Employment Equality Agency have been established and came into operation on 1st October, 1977. An important function of the agency is to keep under review the working of the Acts of 1974 to 1977 and, whenever they think it necessary, to make proposals to me for amending either or both of these Acts. Any such proposals would be very carefully considered by me.
There are provisions in existing legislation which restrict the employment of women—for example, night work in industrial employment is prohibited under the Conditions of Employment Acts, 1936. I am empowered, under the Act of 1977, to repeal of amend by order such restrictive provisions on receipt of a recommendation from the Employment Equality Agency and following consultations with the employers' and workers' organisations.
I realise the Employment Equality Agency have only started but what are the Minister's own views and what is the strength of his determination in regard to achieving real equality for women?
My commitments are already well known in that regard. I have, as a matter of fact, some interesting correspondence from the Deputy on the subject.
In the employment projections of the ESRI and other Government agencies do these include projections of more married women working and their numbers increasing as each year goes by?
That is a separate question.
It is leading to another question. Dealing with the question of equality of employment for women we have, first of all, to see that the constraints are removed.
That is a statement.
I am sorry, I am coming to the question. Is the Minister aware that women are on average earning 60 per cent of men`s salaries and does he propose to do anything about it?
That is a separate question.
May I read the original question.
Please do not hold up the time of the House. I do not want to be personal but the Deputy should resume his seat while the Minister is answering.
Certainly. I want to get a reply.
The Minister.
Fine, if the Chair wants me to reply. I am aware of what the Deputy is referring to and I appreciate it is a completely separate question but the purpose of the agency and of the legislation is to remedy the situation that exists.
What precise steps is the Minister taking to ensure that women get a a real equality and not just a spurious equality? what has he done to see that the 60 per cent is raised in the next year, for instance?
If the Deputy was listening to the reply he must be aware of the opportunities open to women to raise these issues either directly or through the trade union movement. The establishment of the agency is directly concerned with investigating the progress of both the 1974 and the 1977 Acts. In addition, under the EEC directive we are committed to reviewing this legislation before the end of 1979 and reviewing our experience under these Acts in line with the EEC directive.
May I take it the Minister himself has done nothing and has no proposals to do anything about equal pay and equal employment opportunity for women?
That stupid question does not deserve an answer.
I am calling Question No. 8. If I might remind the Deputy, his question related to legislation.
Yes.
We have moved far away from that.
I am asking the Minister if he is proposing ——
It is not in order to raise every matter remotely related to a single question. In the interests of making some progress—I hate making these long statements—I must point out there are many other Deputies awaiting replies to their questions.
I presume Deputies on this side are entitled to protection when they seek information and do not get it. The Minister has not really given any information. I am asking the Minister if, arising directly out or the question——
This is absolutely ridiculous. I have answered the question.
I do not want to embarrass the Minister but I want to know if he has taken any initiative himself in relation to equality of opportunity and equal pay. Everything done so far was done by Deputy Michael O'Leary. Has the Minister done anything or does he propose to do anything?
Question No. 8.