Government Declares National Day of Mourning

Following the Government Decision to designate Friday, 14 September as a Day of National Mourning, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney signed an Order under the Organisation of Working Time Act giving effect to this decision.

The Tánaiste pointed out that with limited exceptions such as emergency services, all schools, Government Departments and Offices will be closed. She urged all employers as far as is practicable to close their premises in sympathy with all those killed and injured in yesterday's terrorist attacks in the United States.

The Tánaiste recognises that this request will present significant problems for employers, especially given the short notice involved. However, an immediate and clear response is appropriate given the special and unique relationship that exists between the Irish people and our friends and families in the U.S., to demonstrate both our solidarity with them and our collective abhorrence at this wanton destruction of life.

The Tánaiste confirmed that the effect of the Order is to provide that employees are paid for their absence on Friday.

Questions may arise regarding days off in lieu for those who are required to work on Friday. In the normal course on a public holiday the following arrangements apply, as determined by the employer

• a paid day off within a month of that day
• an additional day's leave
• an additional day's pay

Queries in relation to this matter should be directed to the Employment Rights Information Unit at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment at lo-call Tel. No's 1890-201-615 or 1890-220-222 or 01-6313131. This service will be available tonight until 8.00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9.30a.m.until 8.00 p.m.

I, Mary Harney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by paragraph 1(g) of the Second Schedule to the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (No. 20 of 1997), hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Organisation of Working Time (National Day of Mourning) Regulations, 2001.
2. The 14^th day of September, 2001, is prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 1 of the Second Schedule to the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. (No. 20 of 1997).

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation).

These Regulations appoint Friday, 14^th September 2001 to be a National Day of Mourning in sympathy with all those killed and injured in the terrorist attacks in the United States of America on Tuesday 11th September 2001.

The Regulations are made pursuant to paragraph 1(g) of the Second Schedule to the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 which allows days to be prescribed as public holidays for the purposes of the Act. Friday 14 September 2001 is so prescribed.

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