asked the Minister for External Affairs if there is any officer, representative of the Éire Government in the United Kingdom, who is charged with the supervision of the welfare of Irish workers engaged in industrial employment in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether he will consider the appointment of such an officer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Éire Workers Welfare Officer.
Mr. Larkin
No specific appointment has been made for the purpose referred to by the Deputy, but matters affecting the welfare of Irish industrial workers in Great Britain are constantly being dealt with by the staff of the High Commissioner's Office in London.
I have no evidence that the existing machinery is inadequate, but I am prepared to consider any representations which may be made to me on the matter.
Mr. Larkin
Is it not true that there is an officer charged with keeping in touch with some of our people—the migratory workers? I should like to point out that their numbers are small compared to the numbers of industrial workers. There must be at least 110,000 to 117,000 men and women without anyone representing this Government to look after their welfare. The Commissioner's Office in London, to my own knowledge, is not doing so. I suggest that the Taoiseach might, at a later stage, reconsider this matter and appoint some officer, a man or a woman, who will interest himself or herself in the welfare of our citizens over there. I am asking that as an urgent matter.
It is true that there is an officer looking after the interests of the agricultural workers. I understand that a certain section of the staff at the High Commissioner's Office in London is charged with dealing with any complaints of Irish workers, getting in contact with them and doing the various things required by correspondence. There is no field officer. so to speak. I might say that the matter was under consideration—the possibility of it.
Mr. Larkin
I am interested in the matter from this aspect, that if and when these workers have complaints to make, there is no representative of this Government to whom they can make them over there; there is no one there in touch with the industrial workers.
Perhaps the Deputy will be good enough to forward me any of the complaints that reach him and I shall have them examined.
Mr. Larkin
I shall do so.