asked the Minister for Finance if he will state when the increased rates of pay approved and granted by his predecessor to workers employed on the Brosna drainage scheme will be paid and the cause of the delay in having the increase paid to the workers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brosna Drainage Scheme Workers' Pay.
I am not aware that any increase in the pay of workers employed on the Brosna drainage scheme was approved by my predecessor. I may add, however, that the matter is under consideration and I hope to be able to announce my decision shortly.
Is it not a fact that a recommendation for an increase of 2d. per hour to workers on the Brosna drainage scheme was recommended by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister's predecessor over two months ago?
I do not know whether it was recommended or not. I have no record of that.
Is the Minister not aware that a recommendation was sent to his Department over two months ago by the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance? What is the cause of holding it up for two months?
It is a great pity that Deputy Davin did not read Deputy O. Flanagan's question because if he had read it I assume he would have understood it as I understood it.
Do not be dodging the issue.
Deputy O. Flanagan asked if my predecessor, the Minister for Finance, had approved and granted an increase of pay to workers on the Brosna drainage scheme. I am in a position to say that my predecessor did nothing of the sort.
That is not true. Is the Minister now going to deprive the workers on the Brosna drainage scheme of the fruits of the generosity and kindness of his predecessor?
I wish my predecessor were here to answer Deputy O. Flanagan.
You are keeping the increase from the workers that we gave them.
That is not true.
The Minister is well aware that the recommendation was made to his predecessor.
I am not aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance has any power to make any recommendation of this kind without consulting the Minister for Finance.
Read the recommendations I made.