asked the Taoiseach the estimated current average weekly pay of male and female workers; and the percentage that the latter is of the former.

: Particulars of average weekly pay are not available. The available data are in respect of average weekly earnings of industrial workers as derived from the results of the Quarterly Industrial Inquiry for transportable goods industries. Separate particulars are not available for individual occupations and the weekly earnings data cover all relevant industrial occupations including supervisors, foremen, operatives, maintenance staff, and so on, on adult rates of pay and include overtime, shift allowances, service pay, and so on, as well as basic pay.

In mid-September 1977, the latest period for which the information is available at present, average weekly earnings for all male industrial workers on adult rates of pay amounted to £76.85 and the corresponding average hours worked were 45.0. For all female industrial workers on adult rates of pay average weekly earnings were £40.85 and the corresponding average hours worked were 38.2. The ratio of the average weekly figures so defined is 53.2 per cent.

: Have the Minister and the Government any plans to rectify the imbalance whereby women get half the pay men get, or 53.2 per cent?

: I have just indicated in the elaborate reply I have given that it has to do with earnings rather than pay.

: Earnings then?

: This has been looked at. It does not quite arise out of the statistical reply.

: Would the Minister not accept that for women 53.2 per cent of the male average is disgraceful? What plans have the Government to correct this imbalance?

: The Government have quite elaborate plans in connection with equal pay at public service level. The overall plan in that regard has been dealt with pretty well by the Minister for Labour in recent times.

: Does the Minister know what the equivalent figure is for the next lowest country in the EEC in this respect?

: That is a separate question.

: I have not got that in front of me. If the Deputy wishes to put down a question——

: Could I offer the Minister the information that it is Great Britain with 75 per cent?