asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that workers employed by De Selby Quarries, Tallaght, County Dublin, are on short time as a result of pricecutting activities of quarry operators who are conveying supplies from outside County Dublin to local authorities within the county; and, if so, whether he will advise Dublin County Council and Dublin Corporation as to the desirability of placing contracts with firms within the county which produce supplies under trade union conditions and wage rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quarry Supplies.
I have no information as to the employment position in the De Selby Quarries. So far as is possible. I would prefer that local authorities would carry out their own quarrying operations, but where the employment of a contractor is necessary the decision as to which contractor to employ is a matter for the local authority. I have inquired from the Dublin County Council as to their contracts for these road materials and am informed that the conditions of contract require that all labour employed by the contractor shall be trade union labour and that wages paid shall comply with the council's fair wages clause. With one exception. all the quarries from which stone is supplied to the county council are in County Dublin.
Contractors for the supply of stone to Dublin Corporation are, at the request of the corporation, appointed each year under the Combined Purchasing Act, 1925. Last year the corporation intimated that the selection of a single contractor would not guarantee an adequate supply of materials for road work, and it was decided to include all applicants (four in number) on the official list for 1949, at the prices quoted by them. In November last the corporation had represented that they could get satisfactory materials at a price lower than that quoted by the official contractors for 1948. They were informed that, in these circumstances, there was no objection to their getting supplies from firms other than the official contractor. It is understood that the firm from which they got supplies employs trade union labour.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a number of men have been sacked in County Dublin quarries, that a number more are on short time and that there is a great possibility of more being sacked?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the practice in the Dublin Corporation is to require firms who submit tenders to produce a certificate from the trade union certifying that they employ trade union labour and pay trade union wages? Could he say whether that practice is adhered to in all cases by the Dublin Corporation?
Yes, so far as I know, it is. Inquiries were made in regard to that and it was ascertained in the case where inquiry was made that the certificate was submitted.