asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the employees of the county councils and the general body of workers in the Counties of Carlow and Wexford, who are entitled to day's leave on either a Church holyday or a bank holiday, are permitted, in fact, to take such leave on the Church holyday; and whether, having regard to the generality of this practice, he will modify the regulations relating to forestry workers in these counties so as to permit them a holiday on Church holydays instead of on bank holidays as at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Leave.
Mr. Corish
The arrangement under which Government employees are granted a holiday with pay on bank holidays is of general application and the introduction of an exceptional arrangement for two counties would lead to difficulties, and would not, in my opinion, be warranted unless there is a much stronger demand than I am aware of for a change.
Mr. Corish
Does the Minister appreciate the fact that practically every type of worker in rural areas in County Wexford has a free day on the Church holyday and the forestry workers would be working whilst their comrades would have a free day and vice-versa? It may be peculiar to County Wexford but that is the position.
That may possibly happen but there is no general demand for a change.
Surely the Minister is aware that the ordinary procedure all over Ireland is that the town employee takes the bank holiday and the rural worker, whether on his own farm or in the employment of others, takes the holydays of obligation and works on the bank holiday.
The Minister is quite well aware of the fact.
Why not let the forestry workers enjoy the same amenities?
Is the Minister aware that the only worker, either in the town or in the country, who works on a Catholic holyday in the County Wexford is the forestry worker?
Mr. Corish
That is the point.