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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 1950

Vol. 121 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs Staffs' Conditions.

Mr. Blaney

asked the Minister for Finance whether a memorandum has been received by his Department, setting out the claims of the uniformed customs staff for a revision of their wages, working conditions, etc.; and, if so, if he will state (a) the date on which the memorandum was received; (b) when it was acknowledged and (c) the nature of the reply thereto.

A memorandum, which was an amplification of a claim for increased remuneration presented by the Preventive Staff Association to the Revenue Commissioners in an interview in 1945, was received by the commissioners. In regard to (a) and (b) of the question, the covering letter with the memorandum was dated 26-10-46. It was probably handed in shortly afterwards and was formally acknowledged on 26-11-46. So far as (c) is concerned, the reply was to the effect that the claim for increases in the salary scales had not been acceded to.

I may add, for the Deputy's information, that the minute recording the rejection of this claim is dated 28th March, 1947.

Mr. Blaney

Will the Minister say whether or not any other representations have been made——

None that I am aware of.

Mr. Blaney

——during the past few years?

The ones I have any notice of are dated 1946 and 1947.

Mr. Blaney

Could the Minister state, in view of the fact that the uniformed and non-uniformed officers hold the same commissions as officers of the customs and excise, why it is that there is such a disparity in their conditions of employment as regards their pay, their hours of service, and their overtime rates?

Of course, the Deputy understands that this was all decided in 1947?

When he states that no representations had been made to him, is the Minister not aware that his attention was directed to the discontent existing in this branch of the service by me by way of parliamentary question during the past month?

This is all with regard to representations made and the only ones I have any information about are those contained in the memorandum of 1945 or 1946. The Deputy's question referred more generally to whether I was aware of discontent and I replied that I was so aware and that these were matters proper for arbitration, that the arbitration machinery was established and that the claim would be heard by the Arbitration Board.

Mr. Blaney

asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that, while time and a half, time and a quarter and double time are the general standard rates of overtime for the Civil Service, members of the preventive staff of the customs and excise are paid overtime at lower rates and in some cases receive overtime at a rate lower than that of their normal weekly salary; and, if so, if he will state the reasons for this discrimination and also ensure that this injustice is remedied at the earliest possible date.

The Government have set up a scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service. The matter on which the Deputy is making his inquiry is proper to be dealt with under the conciliation machinery, if the association concerned thinks fit to invoke it. I do not propose, in the meantime, to take any steps in this matter.

Mr. Blaney

Is the subject-matter of this question a matter which can be dealt with definitely by the association?

I have not the initiative in bringing these matters forward under the scheme of conciliation and arbitration. Will the Deputy listen to what I indicated in my reply? I said that the matter on which the Deputy is making his inquiry is proper to be dealt with under the conciliation machinery, if the association concerned thinks fit to invoke it. It rests with the association.

Mr. Blaney

Then it is a question of passing the baby from one to the other?

Surely the association ought to be in a position to make representations on behalf of its own members?

Mr. Blaney

Surely the Minister should accept some responsibility if things are not all right in a branch of his Department? It does not necessarily mean that the association representing these persons should take the initiative.

The association must be fully alive to the circumstances that exist and there can be no doubt they are fully informed. The initiative rests with them.

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