asked the Minister for Local Government if he will instruct the Offaly County Council to pay a higher rate of pay to county council road workers and employees in view of the fact that the rates of pay are much lower than in Laoighis and other neighbouring counties, and of the great hardship and injustice suffered by the rural workers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay of County Council Employees.
I have no power to instruct a local authority to pay a higher rate of wages to its employees.
In view of the fact that the Fianna Fáil Party have a majority of one on the Offaly County Council, will the Minister use his influence with his personal friends to get them to do justice?
Fianna Fáil does not do its public business through political influence.
Ask Deputy O Cinnéide about it.
In view of the fact that yesterday the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance stated that he could not see his way to have the present drainage workers' rates of pay increased because such rates of pay were controlled by the county council rates of pay, might I inquire if the Minister will consider specially the fact that the Offaly County Council pays practically the lowest rate of pay to road workers? Would the Minister not consider impressing upon the county council the necessity of paying a rate of pay that will give these workers a decent standard of living?
In view of the fact that complaints have been made in this House of the intervention by Ministers in the affairs of local bodies, I refuse to interfere with the functions of local bodies where I am not legally entitled to do so.