asked the Minister for Labour if he has abandoned plans for the reform of industrial relations; and, if not, the reason various deadlines he has set for the introduction of reform of industrial relations legislation have not been met.

I would like to assure the Deputy that there is no question of the proposals for the reform of industrial relations being abandoned. A Bill to give effect to the proposals is being finalised at present and I hope to introduce it in the Dáil in the near future.

Would the Minister admit that in replies to similar questions in this House last year he promised that the Bill would be enacted before Christmas 1988?

I will not admit to that, Deputy, but I will admit there have been some delays and I take full responsibility for them. It is true that there have been a number of draftings of the Bill, which is a complex one, and that the delay is much longer than I would have wished, but I hope we will have it before we reach the next Question Time.

I can assure you, a Cheann Comhairle, that the Minister promised during Question Time that the Bill would be enacted prior to Christmas 1988. What is more he subsequently promised during another Question Time that it would be enacted before Easter. In his reply today the Minister does not give any date by which legislation will be introduced or enacted. Can he now give us a date when this industrial relations legislation will be introduced?

As I said, I hoped we would have had this Bill earlier this year. However, due to unforeseen circumstances there were delays. I was in touch with the Attorney General's Office in recent days and he is doing his best to have the Bill completed. I hope to have it some time this month.

May I ask the Minister——

Perhaps a final question, Deputy.

——to what extent does he consider that the reform of industrial relations can play a part in employment creation?

That is a separate question.

There are questions down on that subject.

That question is very similar to one down in the Deputy's name.

There are questions tabled in respect of that matter.

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