Vol. 482 No. 5
14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has had the promised meeting with employers and unions to consider the implementation of Sunday trading legislation; if so, the outcome of this meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18246/97]
My colleague, Deputy Tom Kitt, Minister of State with responsibility for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, met IBEC representatives on 4 September 1997 and ICTU representatives on 11 September 1997, to discuss concerns which have been expressed about recent extensions of Sunday working in the retail sector. In the course of those discussions, a number of possible ways of addressing those concerns were raised, including Sunday trading legislation and the possibility of voluntary Sunday working for shop workers. The decision to invite the social partners to discussions on these issues reflects Deputy Kitt's belief that partnership should be the cornerstone of any initiative in this area.
The meetings helped to clarify the positions of the social partners and the Minister of State is hopeful that, with continued good will on both sides, it may be possible to surmount the significant obstacles which stand in the way of progress on this difficult and sensitive issue. Having listened to and analysed the views expressed at these meetings the Minister wrote to ICTU and IBEC on 9 October, 1997 inviting both parties to open discussions with a view to exploring the possibility of an agreement addressing the issue being entered into between employer and employee repesentatives of the main players in the sector. He offered to assist this process in any way that he could.
