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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Apr 1946

Vol. 100 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Agricultural Workers.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that, because of the discontent amongst agricultural workers at the low rate of wages they receive, there is danger that the work of food production will be adversely affected during the year, especially at harvest time, unless a substantial increase is made in the existing minimum wage rate; and whether he will, therefore, convey to the members of the Agricultural Wages Board the opinion he expressed in Dáil Éireann last week regarding the remuneration and working conditions of these workers so that an improvement may be made immediately in their lot, and thus facilitate the increased production of food, especially having regard to the conditions in Europe at present.

As the Deputy is aware, the responsibility for fixing minimum rates of agricultural wages was, under the Agricultural Wages Acts, entrusted to the Agricultural Wages Board, which will doubtless have regard to all relevant considerations when reviewing the minimum rates at present in force. Whilst I feel that agricultural workers should enjoy the best conditions that the agricultural industry can afford I think, as I recently stated in this House, it would be inadvisable for me to interfere with the operation of the wages board which is in touch through its area committees with the views of agricultural workers throughout the country.

Does the Minister consider it is fair and proper that men should be brought from other parts of the country to work at agricultural work and paid a subsidised wage almost equal to twice the minimum wage fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board? Is he not aware of the fact that men were brought from Donegal to southern parts of the country last year and got the minimum agricultural wage plus a subsidy from the State while local men were expected to work for the minimum wage beside them, and to teach them how to work as well?

I think casual labour is always paid a bit more than regular work.

In so far as the Minister places responsibility for fixation of rates on the Agricultural Wages Board, would he bear in mind when re-appointing members of the board for the year the need for making the board truly representative of the two sections in the industry so that any decisions they make will be representative and will secure adherence by the main parties engaged in the industry and not, as at present, have really no effective representation?

I can assure the Deputy that I have always kept that in mind.

Is the Minister not aware that there is considerable discontent amongst agricultural workers at the present time and does he think his present attitude is the proper one in view of the appeal that has been made recently at the Food Conference? Is he going to wait for trouble to arise at the harvest?

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