asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the acute hardship suffered by agricultural workers in consequence of the present high cost of living, and whether he will arrange to convene a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board, with a view to granting a substantial increase in wages and a weekly half-holiday to agricultural workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hardship on Agricultural Workers.
As has been indicated in reply to questions on more than one occasion already, it is not my function to convene meetings of the Agricultural Wages Board. The board has no statutory function in regard to the provision of holidays for agricultural workers.
As the Minister is charged by the House with responsibility for the welfare of the agricultural community and as he must know that the wages of agricultural workers are abnormally low having regard to present price levels, will the Minister, mindful of his responsibility for the agricultural industry, take steps to have a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board convened and direct the attention of the board to the necessity for improving the rates of wages of agricultural workers? Will he further give the Agricultural Wages Board power to provide for the grant of a weekly half holiday to agricultural workers or, alternatively, take power by the introduction of legislation to ensure that agricultural workers, with other classes of workers in the country, will enjoy a half holiday?
The Agricultural Wages Board met some months ago and made certain recommendations to which effect was given. I have no doubt that the board will meet again in due course and, having examined all the factors to which the Deputy has referred, will make a recommendation in the ordinary way. As to the matter of holidays with pay, as I have stated, the board has no statutory obligation or power in that regard and I do not propose to give them such power.
It is no wonder we have emigration after that reply.