asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any agreement, implicit or explicit, has been made with Messrs. Siemens-Schuckert in respect of the number of German workers to be employed on the construction work in connection with the Shannon electrification scheme, and whether such immigrants are to be confined to the professional and office staffs.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GERMAN WORKERS IN SHANNON SCHEME.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
There is no such agreement. Siemens-Schuckertwerhe are bound to employ Irish workers so far as practicable, and may only employ German or other workers with the approval of the chief engineer, which will be given with due regard to the necessities of the case. There is no provision for the restriction of immigrants to any particular classes of works.
Will the Minister say what is the policy of his Department with regard to the test of need in the case of German workers, and whether consideration of the available labour in Ireland is taken into account before he advises the issue of any permits?
Ordinarily speaking, one would always take into consideration how far Irish labour is available for the particular work. "Available" means available in fact, not in theory.
Is the Minister prepared to issue permits or to advise the issuing of permits for any other nationality in the case of any other shortage of available labour in Ireland?
When men of any other nationality apply, their case will be considered on the merits.
Will the Minister take into account the wages paid in the countries from which the prospective labourers will be drawn?
No, I do not think so.
Or the standard of living they were used to?
No, we would take into consideration that men would be required in Ireland for work for which Irishmen were not available.
Coolies or negroes.
Or if you like to say "coolies" at a higher rate of wages than ordinary men in Europe get.