asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will represent to the chairman of the Agricultural Wages Board the desirability of that board reviewing the wages payable to agricultural workers with special reference to the higher prices now payable under State guarantee for agricultural produce.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Wages Board.
It would be outside my functions to make representations of the kind suggested by the Deputy. I have ascertained that the board, in accordance with their usual procedure, proposes at an early date to review the rates of wages now in force for agricultural workers. It must be assumed that, in such review, the board will give due weight to all relevant circumstances, including the prices of agricultural products.
As the chairman is the nominee of the Minister, would the Minister point out to the chairman that, in view of the fact that the price of wheat has been increased and the price of other commodities similarly increased, there is a strong case for increasing the wages of agricultural workers in present circumstances?
I am sure that the workers' representatives have pointed out that to the chairman already——
Would the Minister point it out to his nominee?
——or the chairman may have heard it independently.