- Analysis from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has shown that the estimated cost of lost productivity on a public holiday is in the region of €396 million. Thus, any additional public holiday has a significant impact on the economy and particularly on small to medium sized employers.
- In light of the above, we already have 3 public holidays in close proximity to the proposed Lá Na Poblachta, namely St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, and the first Monday of May. If this additional public holiday were to be introduced then there would be four public holidays falling within a 6 week period. It must also be noted that Good Friday, although not a recognised Public Holiday, is often treated as such and, indeed, pubs are forced to close on this day. The cumulative cost of these days to Irish business and to the Exchequer is already significant without having to add an additional public holiday to the mix.
- It has recently been announced that the National Minimum Wage is set to increase from January 2017. Whilst the €0.10c increase appears modest, it needs to be recognised that Ireland already had the second highest national minimum wage in the EU, something which goes a long way towards offsetting the fact that we have fewer public holidays than the EU average. The introduction of an additional public holiday would be an additional financial burden.
- We are currently entering into a period of economic uncertainty. Brexit could have a significant impact on the Irish economy given that Britain is our main trading partner and also accounts for about 16% of our exports. There is already significant concern amongst exporters and border counties as a result of the falling value of sterling against the euro. Furthermore, US President elect, Donald Trump, has been highly critical of the amount of US jobs being moved to other countries and he has vowed that “as part of our plan to bring back jobs, we're going to lower taxes on American business from 35 per cent to 15 per cent”. Given that the US are our biggest source of foreign direct investment, and many such companies are attracted by our low corporation tax rate, this development could have significant impact on business, and consequently employment, in Ireland.
- It must also be noted that the 1916 Rising occurred over Easter and in that respect we already have an Easter public holiday. Whilst the Easter public holiday is not designated as a commemoration to the 1916 Rising and the date on which it falls varies from year to year, it nevertheless does exist and does afford an opportunity for annual commemorations over Easter weekends going forward.
For the second time in recent years the Government has rejected proposals to introduce an additional public holiday to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising.
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó’Snodaigh first brought this proposal before the Dáil in 2013 only to be ultimately rebuffed by former Minister Alex White. Minister Ó’Snodaigh once again brought the matter before the Dáil on 03rd November 2016 and once again it appears as though the motion has received short shrift, this time from the current Minister for Arts, Heather Humphreys.
Much of the argument surrounding the introduction of this public holiday has been based around the fact that Ireland currently has 9 public holidays whereas the EU average is 11 public holidays. Indeed, it has been highlighted that Finland has 15 public holidays and countries like Malta and Spain have 14 apiece. However, decisions on whether or not Ireland introduces new a public holiday must surely be based on more than simply stating “other countries do it and, therefore, so should we”.
2016 seems to be the year where a multitude of individuals and bodies are clamouring for more and more for employees without much consideration being given to the cost to employers and to the economy as a whole. Accordingly, it was very refreshing to hear Minister Humphreys stating that “whilst a proposal to introduce an additional bank holiday is bound to draw populist support … our job as public representatives is to consider the wider implications of such a move, and in particular, the additional costs for businesses.”
This consideration of the wider implications is key and the ultimate decision to reject the public holiday will be welcomed by employers for a number of reasons.
