asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the grave hardships caused to the Córas Iompair Éireann workers employed in the Córas Iompair Éireann workshops in Dublin by reason of the delays in paying the increases awarded by the Labour Court to the workers, he will now urge Córas Iompair Éireann to pay without further delay the arrears of pay due to these workers and the new rates of pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Córas Iompair Éireann Workers' Wages.
While this question relates to a matter of administration in which I have no direct function, I may say that I have been informed by Córas Iompair Éireann that all the unions concerned, except the unions catering for electricians, have now intimated their acceptance of the Labour Court's recommendation and that arrangements are being made by the board to pay the revised wage rates and arrears of pay as soon as possible. The board informed me that it hopes to be able to pay the new rates and arrears on 27th July.
Would the Minister take up with Córas Iompair Éireann a cognate matter, that is the question of privileges and passes? As the Minister is aware——
That does not arise on this question.
My feeling in the matter is that I should not exceed my statutory functions, and that if the Dáil expects me to intervene in the day-to-day administration of Córas Iompair Éireann, then that statutory position should be altered altogether.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when it is the intention of Córas Iompair Éireann to pay the district rates as paid to workers in the building trades in the different areas to their workers on the permanent way staff, and to what date it will be made retrospective.
This question relates to a matter of administration in which I have no direct concern. I am, however, aware, from inquiries directed to Córas Iompair Éireann, that, where a demand is made by the unions concerned, the board is prepared to accept agreements made between the unions and the Federation of Builders, Contractors and Allied Employers of Ireland in regard to rates of pay of workers in the building trades in certain areas, as applicable to the corresponding grades of the board's permanent way workers in these areas. The board has informed me that the unions have requested it to adopt, in respect of its workers, new rates of pay agreed upon for the building trade in certain areas, and that the board proposes to pay these new rates as from the date of the agreement between the federation and the union. I have also been informed that arrangements are being made to pay the increases to the workers concerned as soon as possible.
That is the usual practice.
Will the Minister say what is the date of the agreement?
The agreement between the employers' federation and the building trade unions? I have not got that information.