asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of his statement circulated in the Official Report on the 6th April, 1938, containing a summary of the arrangements made between the Government and Irish National Refineries, Limited, he will now state to what degree guarantees (if any) have been secured for (a) workers now employed in Irish oil distribution, and for those who are to be employed by the refinery, in relation to their conditions of employment; (b) what guarantee of compensation he proposes to offer the members who may be displaced from oil distribution directly as a result of the monopoly, or indirectly as a result of the amalgamation of existing companies which may be granted the sole right to distribute the monopoly oil; and (c) what consideration he has given to the representations made by representatives of the oil workers on this matter of oil monopoly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Oil Refinery Employees.
As mentioned in the statement referred to in the question, my intention is that the products of the oil refinery to be established, in so far as they are required for the Irish market, shall be supplied to existing distributing organisations. Should my intention in this regard be realised, it is not anticipated that any displacement of workers engaged in oil distribution or any alteration in their conditions of employment will occur. As regards the last part of the question, a deputation from the Dublin Trades Union Council was received in my Department in July, 1936, when the position as regards the proposed arrangements for distribution was explained.