asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether he will sanction the resolution submitted by the Cork County Council recommending (a) that full-time ganger record-keepers be employed in each assistant county engineer's office, (b) that the employment of the persons at present so engaged be continued, and (c) that all ganger record-keepers be paid at the rates approved for special works gangers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Ganger Record-keepers.
My sanction is not required except in regard to the rates of remuneration to be allowed and this is at present the subject of correspondence with the local authority.
Would this matter be dealt with as soon as possible? A resolution was sent up from Cork County Council some time ago—a council well known for its conservative dealings where the wages of the workers are concerned.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if, in the year of Our Lord, 1949, he should issue a circular to Cork County Council that all stones in the area should be broken by hand?
What has that to do with it? May I point out to Deputy Desmond that the Minister has no function in regard to the resolution which was passed by the Cork County Council? The Cork County Council may employ new men on this particular work, or they may continue men in employment. As far as remuneration is concerned, there is no proposal from the county manager.
Considering that the recommendation is to pay them at the wages given to special works gangers— as is mentioned in the resolution—I would like to have the matter taken into consideration.
There is no proposal from the county manager in respect of wages at all.