EXTRACTS FROM THE HISTORIC DEBATE IN THE IRISH SENATE, 8 March 2000, on Senator Norris's motion to make St Brigid's Day a National Paid Holiday in honour of women's work.  The campaign for this holiday was initiated by Women in Media & Entertainment (affiliated to the International Women Count Network), as part of the Global Women's Strike 2000.

Sen. David Norris:

I move -- that Seanad Eireannn urges the Government to establish a National Paid Holiday to value women's work on 1 February (St Brigid's Day) annually, commencing 2001; and to devise and implement the necessary statistical means to measure unpaid household, caring and community work...

People have said that the establishment of a national paid holiday is irrelevant and that we should be concentrating on the provision of child care facilities.  I reject this argument because it is not an "either or" question.  Why should we set two good ideas in competition with each other?  Why can we not say that we want and are entitled to both?...

The facts present a stark picture.  Women's unwaged work amounts to the largest industry in the State.  The Ark Life survey estimated its value at 14 billion pounds per year.  This survey represents something very disturbing and interesting.  It was conducted by an insurance company to help its campaign to encourage husbands to insure themselves against the death of their wives, and the company wanted to quantify the loss caused by women's deaths.  If there was a mass annihilation of all women it would cost the Exchequer 14 billion... 

Women save the State a fortune while often living on very limited means and without full entitlements to social insurance credits in their own right.  Women are the most active volunteers in the community and many initiiatives are dependent on their contributions of time, experience and expertise.

 

Sen. Dr Mary Henry:

The equal pay legislation of the early 1970s was splendid.  It is unfortunate, however, it has not become more of a reality for women.  There are difficulties in its application because it must be shown that work is of equal value.  That was a major factor in the dispute over nurses' pay and led eventually to the strike.  It is not just the money involved, there are constant complaints about difficulties with part-time work, flexi-hours and family-friendly work, which is the most important because it also affects the father...

I would like to see far more value placed on the work women do in the home.

 

Mr Treacy (Minister of State):

I recognize and value the great contribution rendered by women to the national economy and quality of life in Ireland.  I would also welcome the designation of St Brigid's Day as a day on which to celebrate that contribution.

 

Sen. Kathleen O'Meara:

I hope the Minister will return to us with a concrete proposal for a public holiday on St Brigid's Day.

 

Sen. Mary Jackman:

I do not see why this proposal should be "aspirational".  Women are often fobbed off as being idealistic and aspirational.  This is a practical suggestion...

Women's work is undervalued not only in the First World but also in the Third World.  It is important that we acknowledge unpaid household, caring and community work.

 

Sen. Ann Leonard:

It is important to speak about women and the contribution they have made not only to home life but to their local communities and to society in general both socially and economically.

 

Sen: Donie Cassidy:

I pay tribute to my mother who reared three children in very poor times.  Her name was Brigid.  My wife has reared four sons.  We may have careers but nothing comes before the obligation for which we are responsible, the creation of other individuals.

 

Sen. Tom Fitzgerald:

I would be shot if I did not contribute to this motion...my wife's name is Brigid and her birthday is on St Brigid's Day.

 

Sen. Liam T. Cosgrave:

I support the motion... More discussion will have to take place about the nuts and bolts of it.  Perhaps it could be taken from here and the Minister of State could discuss it with various interested groupings and bodies.  I hope then that some progress can be made.

 

Sen. David Norris (summing up):

My father died in 1950 and my mother received nothing; but if she had died, my father would have received a housekeeper's allowance.  That shows the system then recognized that women were of value to me but placed no value on the women as individuals...

We received, for this motion, a few thousand petitions from individuals and groups -- a massive response...

I remember when Maire Geoghegan-Quinn introduced the law decriminalizing homosexual behaviour and mean-minded people tried to introduce a discriminatory age of consent.  I will never forget what she said:  that as a democrat and a member of an Irish Government and Parliament she would need solid, cogent, compelling reasons to introduce any element of discrimination against Irish citizens.  That is a principle we should all support and it also operates in the area of wages for women...

I am extremely glad we have managed to pass this resolution unanimously.  It is now on the record and it is something on which we can build.  I have no doubt that a new bank holday will be introduced and the women of Ireland will be first in the queue.