asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it was reported to him that certain firms and persons in Dublin were continually contravening the regulations made by him under Section 17 of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936; whether he has taken any steps to ascertain if these allegations were well founded, and, if so, whether he can say if there were such contraventions of the regulations or that they still continue; further, whether he is in a position to say if it is his intention to prosecute those guilty of contravening the regulations, and, if so, when proceedings will be instituted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions of Employment Act.
It has been reported to me that certain firms and persons in Dublin are contravening the regulations made by me under Section 17 of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936, referring to the prohibition of employment of outworkers in the men's and boys' tailoring trade. I have had inspection made in all cases, and test cases are at the moment in the hands of the Chief State solicitor with a view to the initiation of proceedings for breaches of the regulations. In the event of these test cases being successful proceedings will be instituted in all similar cases.
Will the Minister say when it was first reported to him that there were breaches of the Order?
I could not.
Will the Minister deny that on the 28th January last complaints of breaches of the Order were made to his Department by the union interested in the trade and up to the present there has been no prosecution —ten months after the report was made? Will the Minister take steps to ensure that when clear breaches of the Order are brought to the notice of his Department, a little more acceleration will be observed in the matter of initiating prosecutions of those who are guilty of contravening them?
The matter is by no means as simple as the Deputy seeks to suggest.
Surely there is no purpose in issuing an Order and allowing people to break it over a period of ten months without some steps being taken to prosecute?
It has yet to be proved that anybody contravened the regulations.
Is the Minister's Department then satisfied with the position?
It has yet to be proved, as I said.