asked the Minister for Lands whether he now proposes to allow forestry workers the same holidays, namely, the church holidays, as are allowed to agricultural workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Holidays.
The grant of public holidays with pay to labourers employed by the forestry division is governed by the provisions of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939. There is no widespread demand for substitution of church holidays for the public holidays. There can be no question of increasing the number of holidays allowable.
Is the Minister aware that many of these workers complain that they cannot go to Mass on these days because they have to be at work at a certain hour?
Is the Minister aware that that situation has existed over a long number of years?
There has been no demand, by the great majority of workers, to my Department along the lines which the Deputy has suggested. On the other hand, I should not like to know that workers were prevented attending their religious duties on church holidays for the sake of the few hours involved.
Would the Minister now that the demand has arisen——
I do not admit that the demand has arisen.
Now that the demand has become more vocal than before, I should like to know if some arrangement could be made to allow these men to their religious duties.
Only from the Deputy has the demand become vocal. Did he take up this matter with my predecessor when he was in office?
That is not an answer.
It is not intended to be an answer; it is a question.
Can the Minister see any reason why church holidays should not be substituted for ordinary bank holidays?
That is a separate question.
Is it not a fact that this matter was raised directly some months ago between the union representing the workers, the Federation of Rural Workers, and the officials of the Department?
So there was a demand.
There was even last year.