asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether he has reached a decision regarding the claim of forestry workers for time off to attend Mass on Church holydays, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers and Church Holydays.
I have decided to substitute four Church holydays for the following public holidays: St. Stephen's Day, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and the 1st Monday in August. This arrangement will come into effect next Easter as it could not be legally operated any earlier. It is not proposed to allow time off with pay on the remaining Church holydays.
Am I to take it now that it is the policy of the Minister that forestry workers who go to Mass on Church holydays must make up time for the time lost going to Mass; in other words, they must pay for the privilege of attending Mass?
As I indicated to the Deputy on another occasion, only a very small number of the total of forestry workers attending Mass work on Church holydays.
It should be all the easier, therefore, to grant what is asked for.
Strangely enough, it makes it all the more difficult. I do not like them to work on Church holydays at all—that is the position.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.
On the Adjournment, Question No. 1 on the Order Paper will be considered.