Vol. 484 No. 3
84 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current progress, if any, on her discussions with trade unions and employer organisations regarding Sunday trading; when these discussions will be finalised; when she will bring proposals to Government in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21979/97]
As indicated in reply to previous questions on this matter, my colleague, Deputy Kitt, the Minister with responsibility for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, met representatives of both IBEC and ICTU in September last to review the position of trading and working on Sundays in the retail sector. Following such meetings, he wrote to both parties on 9 October, inviting them to open discussions with a view to exploring the possibility of an agreement addressing the issue being entered into between employer and employee representatives of the main players in the sector.
ICTU responded on 6 November 1997 to the effect that it would be happy to enter discussions. The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt wrote further to the director general of IBEC on 1 December 1997 pressing for an early response to his proposal. The positive approach adopted to date by both sides in their discussions with Minister Kitt is to be commended. I am satisfied that the partnership approach, rather than an attempted legislative solution, offers the most realistic prospect of progress on this contentious issue. I await developments with interest.
