asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make representations to Bord na Móna to have suitable huts erected on the bogs with braziers installed for the workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Workers' Facilities.
The responsibility for providing shelters and other accommodation for bog workers in the employment of Bord na Móna rests with the board and I have no function in the matter.
I am, however, informed by Bord na Móna that the provision of bog shelters has in the past been the subject of discussions with the trade unions representing the workers and that the matter has been dealt with, so far as the board is aware, to the satisfaction of the unions.
I do not think that is the case. I know bogs where there is no provision for shelters at all. I am sure the Minister will agree that workers who travel long distances of over 25 miles to work and who work on an open bog all day are entitled to have suitable huts erected on the bogs with braziers.
The Deputy is making a speech and not asking a question.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that there are hundreds of these shelters on their bogs. There is no current request to me from the trade unions for the provision of more bog shelters. If more bog shelters are needed, I would suggest to the Deputy that he should advise the men concerned to consult their unions with a view to having the matter raised with Bord na Móna as apparently it was raised successfully in the past.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make representations to Bord na Móna to have the lorries used for conveying bog workers, who have to travel long distances to and from their work, converted into buses in order to provide for more comfortable travel.
The responsibility for providing transport facilities for turf workers in the employment of Bord na Móna rests with the board. I am, however, informed by the board that the greater number of the lorries used for transporting bog workers this year were hired lorries with which the board could not interfere and that the remainder are required for normal use during working hours.
Any representations which the Deputy may wish to make in the matter should be addressed to Bord na Móna.