In a written answer on 9 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu clarified that the European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty and that obligations under it fall outside EU competence, responding to a parliamentary question from Kathleen Funchion (The Left) about a European Committee of Social Rights ruling against Ireland concerning Defence Forces working conditions.
The ECSR had found Ireland in breach of the Charter for failing to compensate Defence Forces members for work on public holidays and for lacking adequate overtime pay arrangements. Mînzatu noted that the national Working Time Act implementing EU Directive 2003/88/EC applies to the Defence Forces and is not contested. However, she stressed that the directive does not regulate remuneration for public holiday work or overtime pay, and that it is for national authorities to ensure correct application of EU working time rules.
The answer contains no concrete proposals or commitments. It reiterates the Commission's limited role in this area, effectively deferring to national authorities and the Council of Europe. No communication with Irish authorities was outlined. The response signals that the Commission does not view the ECSR ruling as triggering EU-level action, leaving any remedial measures to Ireland and the Council of Europe's monitoring mechanisms.