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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Mar 1944

Vol. 92 No. 17

Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenses of Advisory Tribunals.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total expenses to the 1st January, 1944, in connection with the proceedings of the advisory tribunals set up under Emergency Powers Orders (No. 166), 1942, and (No. 260), 1943.

The total expenses to the 1st January, 1944, in connection with the proceedings of the advisory tribunals set up under Emergency Powers Orders (No. 166), 1942, and (No. 260), 1943, is £6,119 6s. 8d. This figure includes fees paid to the chairmen of the tribunals, the salary of a whole-time secretary to the tribunals, the travelling and subsistence expenses of the chairmen, secretaries and members, compensation for loss of time of the members, cost of advertisements in the Press, and other small incidental expenses such as telephone calls and hire of rooms. The figure does not include the cost of head office staff dealing with the recommendations, etc., of the tribunals, nor does it include the salaries of certain part-time secretaries. It is not practicable in these cases to apportion the cost as between duties in connection with the advisory tribunals, and other Departmental duties.

Mr. Larkin

Is it right and proper that the chairmen of tribunals should get from £9 9s. 0d. each a day, while others who may be drawn away from their ordinary employment get no recognition in the matter of expenses?

That is not correct.

Mr. Larkin

Is that a proper thing?

The ordinary members of tribunals, it is true, are acting upon a voluntary basis, but where attendance at a tribunal involves loss of earnings to a member, he is compensated therefor.

Mr. Larkin

Take the case of an official of a trade union, who is drawn away from his duties and who has to pay a substitute. Is it right and proper that such an official should spend days, weeks, and possibly months acting, no doubt in the service of the members, but still doing a public service, for which he gets no recognition?

Compensation for loss of earnings is not paid to a trade union official unless he can show that there is a loss of earnings by reason of his attendance at the tribunal.

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