asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that a representative of an Australian firm has been in this country offering employment in Australia to Irish workers, and if he is fully informed of the conditions, particularly housing, under which Irish workers may be expected to live if they accept the terms offered by this firm's representative; and, if so, whether he has satisfied himself that these conditions are satisfactory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Australia.
The only information in the possession of my Department concerning the activities in this country of an Australian employment agent is that obtained from news items and advertisements which have appeared in the Press. I am, therefore, not in a position to speak regarding the terms and conditions of the employment to which the Deputy refers.
Would the Minister take into consideration the possibility of these workers being transferred to other industrial employment? If such is the case, has the Minister been informed of the conditions under which these workers may have to live, particularly having regard to housing conditions in that country? Furthermore, is the Minister not aware, through channels available to him, of workers who have already had to leave industrial areas in that country and move out to more remote areas owing to the housing conditions in the cities and who of necessity find it impossible to attend, even infrequently, their religious duties?
I want to inform the Deputy that I have no power to interfere. An Order made back in 1941-42 dealt only with emigration to Great Britain. There were certain restrictions imposed in that case but these restrictions do not apply outside Great Britain.
Will the Minister take into consideration the position of such workers with a view to introducing the necessary legislation to protect them?
Have we not a diplomatic mission in Australia and has the Minister asked our representative there to furnish a report on the alluring conditions held out to Irish workers to take up employment there, with a view to seeing that that information is placed in the hands of any potential emigrant and giving him a chance of making up his mind as between the picture painted by the recruiting agent and the facts ascertained by our representative in that country?
So far as my information goes, there were very few concerned in this matter.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.