asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that an agreement was entered into between the commissioner administering the affairs of the Laoighis County Council and the union representing the road workers employed by the same county council in April last under which the workers were to receive an increase of 3/- per week in their wages; whether approval for the terms of this agreement has been withheld by his Department, and if not if he is now prepared to authorise the commissioner to put the terms of the agreement into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis Road Workers' Wages.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. In April last I received a communication from the commissioner for Laoighis County intimating that subject to the sanction of the Department he had decided to grant an increase in wages for road workers in the county. I was given to understand at the same time that the increase in wages would involve an annual expenditure of £3,000, that no provision had been made therefor in the current year's rate, and that it was intended to close down road work for approximately one month of the year so as to keep within the estimate. It was considered that there was not sufficient reason for the arrangement, and the approval sought was not signified.
Has the commissioner been so informed and, if so, when?
I do not know when, but I know he has been so informed.
Will the Minister clear up the misunderstanding which appears to exist between the commissioner and his Department?
I did not know there was any misunderstanding.