I should like to ask the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the report of the deliberations of the Trade Union Congress yesterday with reference to the serious position in regard to unemployment arising out of the cement strike and if the House may take it that the Government are giving serious and immediate attention to that matter?
Strike at Cement Factories.
I may say in reply to the Deputy's query that he may be quite sure that the Government are giving very serious and very close attention to the situation in connection with the strike at the cement factories.
The Deputy should have given notice to the Chair that he was raising this matter.
It was impossible to give notice in regard to this matter.
It could have been done at 2.50 p.m. Some notice should have been given.
I have asked the question now.
Yes, and the Deputy got his answer. For his future guidance I may say that matters like that should not be sprung either on the Chair or on the Government.
This was of tremendous and urgent importance.
Steps have been taken in reference to the matter.