asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation to compel the managements of business houses who employ messenger boys to see that such employees are supplied with protective clothing against cold and rain; and where such boys use bicycles to see that the machines supplied by employers will meet a reasonable specification to be laid down by his Department, and that a maximum laden weight for such machines be fixed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions for Messenger Boys.
I am not satisfied that legislation as suggested is necessary at present. I would refer the Deputy to the powers of the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, to set up Joint Labour Committees for messengers in any area. One such committee has been already established in Cork City Area, and the establishment of similar committees in the other county boroughs would, no doubt, secure the results which the Deputy has in mind.