Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is well aware, there are considerable benefits to employees in the policies pursued by this Government. An enormous amount of work is done on the area of work-life balance. The report on the working place of the future makes 46 recommendations, among which is not numbered a proposal to create an additional public holiday.

The Deputy is aware that it has been the practice in this country that matters of this nature are dealt with in the context of partnership. Naturally, the Government is more than happy to co-operate with the social partners to establish the optimum conditions for working and living in this country. We have been very successful in so doing.

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