asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the road workers, including carters, gangers and overseers, are on strike at present in Counties Dublin and Meath for an increase in wages; and if he will state whether his Department is intervening in the matter with a view to arranging an early settlement of the position, and, if not, if he will do so without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Strike of Road Workers.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter is one for the local authorities concerned in the first instance. I do not propose to intervene.
Is it correct that, in the case of the workers in County Meath, before the county manager and the county council recommended an increase of 5/- by way of bonus an increase of 3/- was sanctioned by the Department?
That is so.
Will the Minister indicate why there is this differentiation in applying the Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order to employees of county councils as against industrial workers?
This matter has been fully debated in the House on a number of occasions. I have explained that the wages paid to road workers and other county council employees of like grading must be the same as are paid to agricultural workers.
The Minister must be aware that there has been an increase in the wages of farm labourers in County Dublin.
If the rates of wages of agricultural labourers in the same area are as recommended by the Leinster Agricultural Area Wages Board, will the Minister see that a corresponding increase is given to the road workers?
I am not prepared to take the initiative in these matters; the initiative must come from the local authority.
How many times must the local authority take the initiative before the Minister thinks they have taken it?
Once in my case would be sufficient; I do not know what it would be in the Deputy's case.