Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:54 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Labour whether the Government has revised its approach to the EC Social Charter in the light of the attitude of the UK Government thereto.
Written Answers. - EC Social Charter.
Peter Barry
Ceist:72 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Labour if the decision of the UK not to implement the 1989 Social Charter was discussed with the British Prime Minister.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 54 and 72 together.
I am informed that the 1989 Social Charter did not arise as a subject of discussion between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister at their recent meeting.
At the Strasbourg Summit in December 1989, the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights of Workers was adopted as a solemn political declaration by the Heads of State and of Government of all member states with the sole exception of the UK. Ireland fully supports the concept of the Social Charter, and the thinking behind it, which is that the Single Market must be accompanied by a positive social dimension.
The Social Charter is being implemented through a Commission Action Programme which comprises 47 separate initiatives. We are co-operating constructively in the examination of each proposal submitted to the Council under the programme, seeking to achieve a fair balance between desirable social progress in the interests of workers and the capacity of employers and governments to undertake the corresponding obligations. We assess each proposal by reference to its implications for employment in Ireland because employment is the overriding social priority.
I might point out that the United Kingdom has continued to play a very active role in the negotiation of the various proposals which have been brought forward under the Social Action Programme and that its representatives have already indicated their support, in principle, for most of the proposals — subject of course to the usual detailed negotiations.