asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will make a statement on the position with regard to the Banagher sewerage scheme, as far as his Department is aware.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Banagher Sewerage Scheme.
A tender for the carrying out of the Banagher sewerage scheme was accepted by the Offaly County Council towards the end of September, 1943. It is understood that work was commenced early in January, 1944, and was continued up to April, 1944, when it was suspended in consequence of a demand by the workers for an increase in wages. At that time certain sections of sewers had been laid and some work had been done at the disposal works. Work was resumed in June and continued up to the end of July, when the contractor ceased work pending a decision as to his liability for the increase in wages. No application for the granting of a bonus had been made to the Wages Advisory Tribunal until October, 1944. Work was resumed again in November, 1944, but shortly afterwards operations were suspended owing to inclement weather resulting in heavy floods in the River Shannon at Banagher. It is understood that a decision on the bonus application will be announced soon. I cannot say at present when work will again be started.