Vol. 516 No. 5
239 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason summer time is not introduced until the end of March each year some five weeks following the spring equinox in view of the fact winter time begins only days after the autumn equinox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8500/00]
As the Deputy will be aware, after the establishment of the European Union, the European Commission has adopted a series of eight directives to date in relation to summer time arrangements in the European Union. The most significant development to come from these Directives has been the harmonisation of the date of change to summer time in member states.
The Deputy may also be aware that the European Commission recently commissioned a comprehensive study on summer time. The study was aimed at identifying and evaluating the effects of summer time in all member states of the Union and, in particular, in the fields of energy consumption, public health, working conditions and lifestyles, agriculture, environmental protection, road safety and the tourism and leisure industries.
The Commission's study will be considered in conjunction with proposals for summer time arrangements with the other member states of the European Union.
