Before the order of business is taken, I would like to know if an opportunity will be given to me of putting some supplementary questions to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance arising out of the question which appeared on to-day's Order Paper dealing with the wages of turf workers.
Wages of Turf Workers.
Some supplementaries were actually put.
I did not put a single one. I understood that the Parliamentary Secretary was to answer at the end of questions.
I understood they were coming at the end of question No. 22. As they have been omitted, perhaps the Chair would permit the Deputy to ask them.
Provided it is not a debate.
I agree.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware of the fact that there is considerable disquiet in a number of turf areas at the low rate of wages which is being paid by the Turf Development Board in connection with the production of turf this year? Is he aware that, so far as the County Kildare is concerned, the rates of wages paid there represent a very substantial decrease on last year's rates? In view of the desirability of producing the maximum quantity of turf, will he not now enter into negotiations with the representatives of the turf workers to ensure that a national agreement is arrived at which will get the cooperation of the turf workers for the production of the maximum quantity of turf, and thereby avoid any possible friction during the turf-cutting season? Is he also aware of the fact that in certain turf areas there is still a considerable quantity of last year's harvest of turf available which, apparently, cannot be transported to Dublin unless it is sold to the fuel merchants of the city here, and will he bear in mind the fact that since the new year's crop of turf is now coming in he should arrange for the issue of permits to persons having supplies of turf in those areas so that they may be able to dispose of them without being obliged to send them through the fuel merchants in this city or Fuel Importers Ltd.
The second question most certainly does not arise. I would like to help the Deputy as much as possible. I am conscious of the fact that there is a considerable amount of disturbance at the present moment. I have a certain amount of sympathy with the people who are producing turf and would like to see more of the total cost that is being paid by consumers going to the original producers-What I am doing at the present moment is trying to find a method which will be fair. While there is all this apparent element of disturbance, there is not at the moment, objectively, evidence that that is having a very ill effect. What I mean is that on last Saturday there were 8,500 men employed by the county surveyors on turf of whom 2,300 were recruited during the week. My own belief is that at the present moment there are up to 11,000, and all the indications are that the men are coming in as fast as can reasonably be expected, having regard to the depletion which undoubtedly did take place over the autumn and winter out of the pool from which they were drawn, and to the pressure that is on them for doing their own agricultural work. I was around the west of Ireland last week for the purpose of looking into this and found a great many men whom, in the ordinary way, one would expect to see on the bogs actually at that moment doing their own husbandry.
Now, I do not want to suggest that the position is entirely satisfactory or favourable, but at the moment, objectively, there are no indications that things are bad. They are rather better than I would have anticipated. As to the large numbers of men who were found working, I am not mentioning that except to express appreciation of the fact that they are coming for ward. It is a fact that they are coming forward and are prepared to help in that way, and it is that which is going to influence the question of whether there is going to be an increase or not. As far as certain portions of the country are concerned, especially in the West where the cheapest turf is produced, I think that the men there are probably entitled to an increase. I am trying to find a basis which is reasonable. It is those men who are coming forward and doing their work and not the men who are standing out and not doing their work who are going to influence me in doing what I can for them. The House, I think, will recognise that I am at least as anxious as anybody else to see the maximum amount of turf production. I believe I am going about it in the right way.
Does not the Parliamentary Secretary knows that a substantial number of workers who were brought at State expense from Donegal to Newbridge have since left Newbridge because they would not accept the wages or the type of food supplied to them, and that an indication of their revolt against the conditions there is to be found in the fact that they cycled from Newbridge to Donegal because they would not accept the conditions?
I am aware that 30 men who came from Donegal have gone back. They have gone back on the allegation that they were not properly and sufficiently fed. I say that they were fully, and well, fed, and that the standard of catering for them at the present moment is high. I am prepared to invite Deputy Norton as well as representatives of each of the other two Parties to come and investigate the question with me.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary, or whoever is responsible, take any notice of the unanimous recommendations of local authorities on this matter, and if so, will he say when he hopes to reply to the representations submitted to him by the Offaly, Limerick and other county councils on the matter?
I take the fullest account of every representation, and replies will be sent as soon as I can do so. As regards Offaly, that is a case where I think there might have been a full acknowledgment sent, but the position is that up to this date it would not have been possible to give them any substantial information. The actual amount of default in that respect is negligible. Every effort is going to be made to get the earliest possible solution, and I believe there will be a solution which will be satisfactory for the vast majority of the men. I am satisfied that the general body of the workers are going to come forward and do their duty on the understanding that they will be reasonably paid.