I have been advised that national measures, in my area of responsibility, are necessary to give effect to Council Directive 86/613/EEC which deals with the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women in self-employed activity. Section 8 of the Equal Status Bill 1997 will give effect to the directive in this regard.
Council Directive 96/34/EEC on the Framework Agreement on Parental Leave was adopted by the Council of Social Affairs Ministers on 3 June 1996. It is proposed to transpose the directive into Irish law within the timeframe provided in the Framework Agreement appended to the directive. This timeframe allows two years from 3 June 1996 for implementation and an additional one year is provided, if necessary, to take account of particular difficulties or implementation by collective agreement. There are no other EU directives or regulations which require to be made part of Irish law.