Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 7

Written Answers. - European Charter of Social Rights.

Toddy O'Sullivan

Ceist:

17 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour whether the Government is not fully supporting implementation of the European Charter of Social Rights as an essential part of cohesion in discussions on economic and monetary union.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

I entirely reject the suggestion in the question that Ireland is not fully supporting implementation of the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights. Ireland is a signatory to the charter and is committed to it as a basis for achieving a strong social dimension to the Community to complement the economic objective of completion of the Single Market. We are co-operating fully in implementing the charter through the individual proposals of the Commission's action programme. Indeed, during the Irish Presidency of the Community in the first six months of 1990, I, as president-in-office of the Social Affairs Council, was instrumental in drawing up and securing agreement to a timetable for completion of the action programme.

Our support for the charter and the Commission's action programme does not, of course, imply that we must automatically accept all the individual Commission proposals as they are submitted to the Council. No member state could be expected to do this. As is our responsibility and our invariable practice, we examine each proposal carefully and, as part of the normal negotiating process in which all member states are engaged, we contribute constructively to the debates on the substance and texts of draft Community instruments.

In our contributions to the debates at Community level we seek to ensure that draft instruments are adapted as far as possible to take account of our national circumstances, such as our legal system, our industrial relations and other practices and our financial capacity to support particular measures. We endeavour to strike a balance between the desirability of making social progress in the interests of workers while avoiding the imposition of undue obligations on employers, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises. Above all, though, we take into account the possible implications of all proposals for employment, which remains the main priority of the Government.

The Social Affairs Council, at its most recent meeting on 25 June, adopted a directive which provides that non-standard (temporary) workers will have the same conditions of safety and health as other workers. The Council also agreed the text of a directive on the provision to employees of information by way of proof of an employment contract concerning their terms and conditions of employment; this directive would have been adopted but for the fact that the opinion of the European Parliament had not been received. Finally, as regards directives, the Council adopted a common position on a proposal for a directive on the minimum health and safety requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels. These three directives form part of the Commission action programme to implement the Community Charter on Fundamental Social Rights and their agreement which I strongly supported, represent concrete progress towards the implementation of the charter.

This general approach which I have outlined is progressive, constructive and well-balanced. It represents an approach which is in the best national interest and very much for the benefit of workers.