Sceptical response to Labour offer of two extra holidays

Labour has suggested St Valentine's Day, the Twelfth of July or Remembrance Day as possible dates for the two additional public…

Labour has suggested St Valentine's Day, the Twelfth of July or Remembrance Day as possible dates for the two additional public holidays it is proposing.

However, the party's invitation to online users of its website to nominate possible holiday dates has backfired somewhat, with a run of votes for April Fool's Day.

"It would signify the type of fools that would fall for a gimmick like this," responded one user.

"Yes, PAYE workers should have more holidays, not because the Labour Party think it would be a good election stunt to win votes but because they've worked hard for it."

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Other suggested dates put forward by the party were February 1st, St Brigid's Day; June 21st, midsummer's day; and July 7th, national commemoration day.

The popular favourites so far are midsummer's day with 26 per cent of the vote, followed by 21 per cent for St Brigid's Day.

Users who responded to newspaper advertisements inviting people to make their choice came up with other suggestions, including the Feast of the Assumption in August and Europe Day in May.

Labour says Ireland has the fewest public holidays in Europe, apart from the Netherlands.

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen is a former heath editor of The Irish Times.