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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 5

Written Answers. - Organisation of Working Time Directive.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

12 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he has studied the recent ruling by the EU Court's Advocate General that the ceiling of 48 hours maximum working hours per week applies to the United Kingdom; and whether this is the law for small Irish firms. [8628/96]

I presume that the Deputy is referring to European Union Council Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time which must be implemented by all member states by November 1996.

In an opinion delivered on 12 March last, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice concluded that the application by the UK for the annulment of this directive — on the main grounds that it was adopted by the Council on a defective legal basis — should be dismissed in its entirely. I understand that the final judgment of the court is expected in the next few weeks. If the court endorses its Advocate General's opinion, the directive will be confirmed.

The directive provides, amongst other things, for a maximum working week of 48 hours for all employees. Certain sectors may be exempted such as work at sea, the transport sector and the activities of doctors in training. The directive applies to all other employments regardless of size. An organisation of working time Bill is in the course of preparation to transpose the directive into Irish law.

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