asked the Minister for Labour the steps he has taken to improve the conditions of workers in some hotels which he described as being primeval some months ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hotel Workers Conditions.
2.
I have responsibility to enforce through my general inspectors under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, the minimum wages and conditions of employment as set out in Employment Regulation Orders made by the Labour Court, on the recommendation of the Joint Labour Committee for the hotel industry.
I have increased the strength of the general inspectorate by over 60 per cent and already this year 1,540 visits of inspection have been made to hotels within the scope of the order as compared with some 900 last year.
A policy of prosecutions for breaches of the regulation has been launched and will be continued.
One of the areas of greatest exploitation is the restaurant trade where I have no powers at the moment. I have, however, asked the Labour Court, having regard to the catering industry as a whole, to set up a Joint Labour Committee for the restaurant trade.
Does the Minister not think that the very fact that these conditions exist in the industry is an indictment of our whole system and also of his Department? The Minister did promise legislation in the autumn but, so far, we have not seen this legislation. When will we have the legislation promised by the Minister?
I undertook to ensure that the regulations were fully observed. There had been a policy in my Department that no prosecutions would be instituted. That policy was changed by my decision and a policy of prosecutions has been commenced. Prosecutions have taken place and, from now on, the regulations will be rigorously enforced to ensure that minimum wage conditions are observed throughout the hotel and restaurant industry. There is the problem that I have no powers at present in the restaurant industry but I have asked the Labour Court to set up a joint committee to control conditions in that particular trade. From now on employers in the hotel industry will be forced to live up to their obligations.
Did the Minister say how many prosecutions had been successful?
I said we commenced a policy of prosecuting people when they failed to live up to their obligations under legislation on the appropriate conditions in the hotel industry. There had been a situation in which we did not prosecute, presumably because of concern for the industry, but it is my opinion that employers in the hotel and catering industry must live up to their obligations like employers in any other industry. Indeed, I may say that the vast majority of employers throughout that industry do live up to their obligations. It is in the interests of the good employers—the vast majority in that industry—that the small minority who disregard the conditions should be prosecuted.
How many successful prosecutions were taken?
That is a separate question, but I can tell the Deputy that a number of prosecutions have been taken since that particular policy was instigated by my decision. If the Deputy wishes for further information as to the number I will attempt to supply him with it.
When will the Minister bring in the promised legislation?
I am at a loss to know to what legislation the Deputy is referring.
The Minister promised legislation.
My powers deal with the inspectorate under my control appointed to see the regulations are fully complied with and I am carrying out those functions to the best of my ability. I have instigated the policy under which the law must be observed. We will enforce the law and, if necessary, increase the number of inspectors. This is carrying out my obligation.
The Minister said he would introduce a Bill and I cannot trace it.
I did not make any such statement.
I have a copy of the Minister's speech here.
I doubt if I talked about a Bill for the catering and hotel industry.
The Minister did. I have it here. I will show it to him.
I would be obliged if the Deputy would. I am not aware that I have fallen short of what I said I would do in this area.