asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will request the chairman of the Agricultural Wages Board to convene an early meeting of the board for the purpose of considering a proposal to increase substantially the wage rates fixed for agricultural workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Agricultural Workers.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will represent to the Agricultural Wages Board that it is an undesirable practice to fix different rates of pay for agricultural workers employed in different parts of County Dublin, and urge upon them that the highest rate fixed for any part of the county should operate throughout the entire county.
I propose to reply to both these questions together. Alterations in minimum rates of agricultural wages are the statutory concern of the Agricultural Wages Board, and to take the action the Deputy suggests would be going beyond my functions in these matters.
I understand the chairman is appointed by the Minister?
He is.
Surely the Minister may have some control over him in that direction.
I can dismiss him if he is not doing his duty.
How is the representative of the working classes selected on the board? From what trade union or organisation is the representative of the farm labourers selected?
That is a separate question.
I should like to know if the Minister is aware that the Deputy who asked the question, and who is now championing labour representatives, voted for a reduction of wages——
That is quite irrelevant. The Deputy will resume his seat.
I wanted to expose the Deputy.
The Deputy will have to seek some other opportunity in some other arena.