asked the Minister for Lands whether on taking up employment with the forestry division of his Department, workers are supplied with a copy of the regulations governing their working conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Conditions.
As I have already explained to the Deputy these regulations are for the guidance of the Department's officers. I am not aware of any grievances arising from this practice but if there are any I would be glad to be notified of them.
Will the Minister not agree that when a worker takes up employment it is reasonable that such worker should know exactly what his conditions of employment will be? Does he not agree that that principle should operate in the forestry section?
That is the actual practice. Forestry workers are always informed by the forest foremen what their conditions of employment will be —their wages, hours and so on.
Last week, in reply to a question similar to this, the Minister indicated to me that the conditions of work of forestry workers were more or less confidential matters for the guidance of Departmental officers. Surely it is not equitable that such matters should be kept secret?
In actual practice nothing concerning forestry workers is kept secret. There is no reason why such a practice should exist. Forestry workers always inquire as to what their conditions are. I am sure they do so. Certainly we have had no complaints from workers along those lines.