asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the conditions of employment as regards hours, wages and emoluments of the men employed in the kitchens of turf camps working under Bord na Móna.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Turf Camps.
This question relates to certain administrative matters of Bord na Móna and I would refer the Deputy to the Dáil Debates for the 17th June, 1936, when I stated the objections to discussing by means of Parliamentary Questions the day to day administration of a body such as this.
Will the Minister say if his Department has anything at all to do with reviewing the conditions of employment of the employees in Bord na Móna?
No, we have no function in the matter.
If the position is that the workers in the kitchens in some of the turf camps work extraordinarily long hours and under great disabilities, has the Minister no function in that matter?
I could not answer that question. There are certain statutory provisions concerning hours of work and conditions of employment. I have the obligation of ensuring that these are observed. In so far as the general relations between Bord na Móna and the staff are concerned, my position is the same as it is towards any private employer.
Does this mean that after this House has been asked to vote money, subsidies and a monopoly to a semi-State body, it is to be informed that it is none of its business what conditions obtain for the people who work under the control of that body? Surely the Minister does not take up that utterly scandalous attitude?