asked the Minister for Labour when he will replace the Shops' (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

26.

asked the Minister for Labour when he proposes to replace the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936 relating to industrial workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.

A number of protective enactments dating from the thirties are at present under review. These are the Conditions of Employment Acts, 1936 and 1944; the Night Work (Bakeries) Acts, 1936 and 1981; and the Shops' (Conditions of Employment) Acts, 1938 and 1942. The review is being carried out in consultation with the social partners.

Many of the provisions contained in these Acts have no contempory relevance and it is likely that they will ultimately be replaced by a single piece of legislation covering the areas where regulation is essential in the modern working environment.

How soon can we expect to see this legislation?

I spoke about these Bills earlier on. A great deal of work has been done already but I believe that it will be next year before we see them enacted. The existing Acts are irrelevant because local negotiations 20 years ago superseded anything that is in them.