asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state on whose nomination Mr. James Hughes, P.C., Oldtown, County Dublin, was appointed a member of the area committee under the Agricultural Wages Act as a representative of agricultural workers; whether he is aware that Mr. Hughes is not an agricultural worker, but, on the contrary, is a farmer and shopkeeper and an employer of labour, and whether he is prepared to reconsider such appointments with a view to the appointment of persons selected by the workers themselves to represent them on the area committee.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Wages Act.
Dr. Ryan
Mr. Hughes was nominated as a member of the wages area committee on a recommendation made to me in response to the request I addressed to all Deputies for recommendations as to persons suitable for appointment on such committees as representing agricultural workers. In the case of all persons nominated on the committees who had been so recommended by Deputies, I did not consider it necessary to pursue any special inquiries. In connection with the nominations to the wages area committees, I will always be prepared to give due consideration to representations made to me by bodies claiming to represent agricultural workers, but I cannot undertake to limit the discretion which is given to me by the Act in nominating members of the committees.
In view of the information contained in my question, could the Minister say if he is prepared to review the appointment in this case?
Dr. Ryan
That can be considered.