(Clare) asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware (a) that road works under the Clare County Council in the neighbourhood of Ennis and Ballynacally were closed down by the finance committee of that council on the afternoon of Monday, 12th February, 1934; (b) that a general strike was in operation in the town of Ennis since midnight on the 8th February until about 4 p.m. on Monday, 12th February; (c) that two non-union men were allowed to work by the Clare county surveyor for several days on works on which some twenty men should necessarily be employed; (d) if he will state when his Department was notified of the position in Ennis, and what action his Department took on receiving such notification; (e) whether he will consider further the application made for a full inquiry into road administration in County Clare; (f) whether his Department has expressed approval or otherwise of the resolution adopted at the finance meeting of the Clare County Council resolving that only trade union labour be employed in schemes of work under its control; and (g) if he is aware of the action of the Clare county surveyor in appointing a man in charge of a county council van whose name did not come through the employment exchange.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Clare Road Works.
The following are the answers to the several parts of the question:— (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) The county surveyor informed the Department by 'phone that two non-union men worked alone for one day only, viz., from Monday morning to that evening. (d) A letter was received from the county surveyor on the 9th instant and a reply issued on 12th stating that the work at Doora and Ballynacally should be proceeded with. (e) The Deputy is presumably referring to his letter (addressed to the Minister) of the 7th instant, to which a reply has already been sent, viz., on the 10th. (f) On the 23rd instant a letter was received from the county surveyor asking for directions in the matter as the subject was coming up before the county council meeting on Monday last, 26th instant. He was informed by letter of the 24th instant that in the consideration of the matter by the county council he would, doubtless, point out to them that no grants can be made or paid except the conditions with regard to the recruitment and employment of labour, which attach to the making of both Road Fund and Relief Grants, are complied with. A copy of the letter was sent to the secretary of the county council who was asked to communicate, without delay, the decisions of the county council. (g) Yes. The man referred to is not being employed under a Relief Grant and the Relief Grant regulations with regard to the recruitment of labour do not therefore apply. He was, at the time he was taken on, actually on the register of unemployed men. Even on Relief or Road Fund Grant work, county surveyors are entitled to fill vacancies for gangers, timekeepers, etc., in any way that seems best to them.
Mr. Hogan
Can the Minister see any reason, if the county council passes a resolution that trade union labour should be employed upon road work in the county, where 99.9 per cent. of the workers are members of a trade union, why the county surveyor should not use his discretion for the purpose of employing union labour in the district?
The county surveyor, of course, as every other county surveyor, has a discretion in the employment of men as to whether they are suitable or not suitable. They have all that discretion, but there is no discretion on the question of the regulation in regard to the employment of men from the labour exchange. Men must be taken on through the labour exchange for relief works.
Mr. Hogan
Does not the Minister consider that unsuitability would extend to the employment of two men who were grossly objectionable to 500 men organised at Ennis, and that it should be taken into account by the county surveyor of Clare if for no other consideration than the peace of the district?
Ask Deputy Pattison.
Does the Minister imply that destitute men are not eligible for employment on relief works?
No.
That is what the Deputy means. Unless they are members of a trade union they are not to be employed.
Mr. Hogan
It seems to be the opposite in this case.