asked the Minister for Labour if he anticipates the need for further legislation to promote, induce, force or otherwise achieve equality for women in employment and employment opportunities.

Equality for women in employment is provided for in (a) The Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, which gives a legal entitlement to equal pay for like work, and (b) The Employment Equality Act, 1977, which makes it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of sex or marital status in regard to recruitment for employment, working conditions and in access to training and promotional opportunities.

Under the 1977 Act the Employment Equality Agency have been established and came into operation on 1st October, 1977. An important function of the agency is to keep under review the working of the Acts of 1974 to 1977 and, whenever they think it necessary, to make proposals to me for amending either or both of these Acts. Any such proposals would be very carefully considered by me.

There are provisions in existing legislation which restrict the employment of women—for example, night work in industrial employment is prohibited under the Conditions of Employment Acts, 1936. I am empowered, under the Act of 1977, to repeal of amend by order such restrictive provisions on receipt of a recommendation from the Employment Equality Agency and following consultations with the employers' and workers' organisations.

I realise the Employment Equality Agency have only started but what are the Minister's own views and what is the strength of his determination in regard to achieving real equality for women?

My commitments are already well known in that regard. I have, as a matter of fact, some interesting correspondence from the Deputy on the subject.