asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a large number of migratory agricultural workers, some of whom possess migratory agricultural permits, and others who are sons of migratory agricultural workers, who have a guarantee of regular seasonal employment with farmers in Britain, are being held up as a result of Government policy relating to migration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Migratory Agricultural Workers.
The answer is in the negative. I have received no representations that the emigration of large numbers of migratory agricultural workers is being held up. Such workers would not ordinarily be refused facilities to take seasonal agricultural employment in Great Britain unless they are employed on agricultural or turf production work for which their continued service is essential, or have refused such work in their own districts, or have left it voluntarily; or if the workers concerned are members of the special register of agricultural and turf workers.
Is the Minister aware that at present migratory workers, in East Mayo particularly, are suffering great hardship, due to the inconvenience caused by Government policy governing migration? Is he further aware that the Gárda Síochána find it extremely difficult to draw a distinction between a migratory worker and what is termed a labourer, that they are afraid to give a definition in accordance with their own views, because the county surveyor and assistant surveyor come down on them, with the result that they are reported and their positions thereby endangered? I called on the superintendent in Claremorris last Saturday and he had ten permits in respect of people described as migratory workers, but he was afraid to send them away. He was about to send them to the local branch of Industry and Commerce, where they should not go at all. The persons concerned have been held up for three or four weeks, with the result they have lost their employment in Britain.
I have no information of the kind, nor have I heard the complaint before.
I wish the Minister would go over to 16 Upper Mount Street, where he could see for himself. I shall have to raise this matter on the Adjournment in order to give a more detailed description of the injustices being inflicted on these men.
If the Deputy will give me particulars of the localities and the persons referred to, I will have the matter examined.
I will give them when I raise the matter on the Adjournment to-night.
The Deputy will understand that I will not be able to deal to-night with any particulars he may give me to-night.
In that case, I will give the Minister the particulars and will not raise the matter on the Adjournment.