asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position taken by the Irish Government following the adoption by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Recommendation No. 839 on the revision of the European Social Charter.
Written Answers. - European Social Charter.
462.
Recommendation 839 is still being studied by the Government Departments concerned, and it will not be possible to state the position of the Irish Government until their observations are received.
This applies particularly to sections B (Revision of the Contents of the Charter) and C (Revision of the Supervision Procedure of the Charter) of the recommendation where the issues raised are far-reaching.
As regards section A (Promotion of the Charter) it may be stated that Ireland was the fourth country to ratify the Charter (on 7 October 1964); that active consideration is currently being given to accepting certain further Articles; and that Ireland's biennial reports are submitted, in compliance with Article 23 of the Charter, to the social partners for their observations before they are sent to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.