asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a large number of Bord na Móna employees have been laid off in the last few weeks, and whether alternative employment can be found for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Employees.
I am aware that a number of Bord na Móna employees have been laid off during the last few weeks. I am informed by Bord na Móna that the bulk of the lay-off is due to seasonal causes and that the board are not in a position to provide alternative employment for the men concerned.
Will the Minister state if the lay-off has in any case been caused because Bord na Móna was short of money to carry out projects that they proposed to carry out?
The lay-off is due to the jact that Bord na Móna cannot now find a market with the E. S. B. for the turf for which they believed a market would be available. That market is not available because the E. S. B. have said that they are over-planted and that they do not need at this stage the turf which Bord na Móna hoped to sell them earlier than they can now sell it, having regard to the E. S. B. overplanting.
If the Coalition, instead of building oil stations, had built turf stations, there would not be this unemployment.
Would the Minister suggest to the board that, in view of the possible shortage of fuel, they should go ahead with some of these-schemes and find an alternative market?
I should explain that Herd na Móna work on this principle. They take on people at the beginning of the turf cutting season, about February or early March. They build up to a peak period and then they go over to winter strength. This year Bord na Móna, employed 6,900 persons at the peak period as against 6,300 last year, 6,100 the year before and 9,500 the year before that. Tapering off takes place in the winter period and that is inevitable unless some other work can be found. The Deputy knows from his own experience that turf cutting in the winter is not an economically rewarding occupation.
Is it not a fact that the Minister's reply has disclosed a grave lack of co-ordination and co-operation between the E.S.B. and Bord na Móna, two State companies?
That is a separate question.
It came up in the reply, and in view of the serious lack of co-operation, would the Minister state what steps he intends to take in the future to see that both of these State companies know each other's business?
That is a separate matter.
Arising from what the Minister has said about the board being over-planted, may I ask if he had less plant in oil, how much more turf would be required?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that men, who for a long period have been employed by Bord na Móna at Derrycreenagh bog, have been laid off, and if he will make a statement on the employment position at this bog.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the majority of the employees who have been laid off at this bog have less than 12 months' service and that only one man had over two years' service.
I have been assured by the board that the lay-off is seasonal and that they are retaining in employment the maximum number of men for whom they can find economic employment. It is hoped to re-employ the men concerned next spring when weather conditions render increased drainage work possible.
Is the Minister aware that in that area a scheme of houses costing £100,000 and a hostel costing £20,000 or £30,000 were erected last year and that these houses and that hostel are not required, and will he state why, when the work was being done, more provision was not made for the future employment of men rather than putting up buildings which are not now required?
When those concerned have had their employment terminated, the number of persons still employed there will be 160. I know nothing at the moment about the board's intention in respect of houses but there will be no shortage of employed men for the tenancy of the houses because 160 will still be employed there.
Is the Minister further aware that 160 men employed there are locals and that there are over 40 locals who have been employed there for over 18 months but have been dismissed this year as a result of the bungling of Bord na Móna and the E.S.B.?
And the Minister.
And the Fianna Fáil Government.
The Minister's directions, and the Deputy supported them.
(Interruptions)
I assume the questions are put on the paper to elicit information. The Minister should be allowed to give that information.
This is a Fianna Fáil rock and roll performance for their friends up here.
On a point of order. I assume you have heard the statement made by the Tánaiste. You must have heard, as every other Deputy in the House must have heard, the Tanáiste address himself to the gallery and refer to the public in the gallery. Is it in order to do so? Is it in order for the Tánaiste to misbehave in this House in the way he has been misbehaving ?
The Deputy has not raised a point of order.
I have. I am putting it to you that the Tánaiste is supposed to address the Chair. The Tánaiste in his remarks waved his fingers to the gallery.
I understood the Tánaiste to say there was a rock and roll performance for the gallery by the Fianna Fáil Party. I did not understand the Tánaiste to make any reference beyond that to the gallery.
I am sure the Chair is as wide awake to what is happening as I am and he must have seen the Tánaiste, with one of those spacious gestures of his, indicate the gallery. Are we supposed to address ourselves to the Chair or the gallery ?
Is the Deputy making the charge that the Chair is not saying what he understood the Tánaiste to do?
I am making no charge against the Chair. I am assuming the Chair is as alert to what is being done on the floor of the House and in the Chamber as I am and I am putting this question to the Chair. Is it in order for the Minister addressing the Chair, as he is bound to do, to refer to people who are outside this Chamber in the manner in which the Minister referred to them?
I have ruled the Tánaiste said there was a rock and roll perfomance for the benefit of the gallery.
(Interruptions).
This is the proof of it. They are all rocking and rolling.
We all know the Government is rocking.
I want to assure you I was actuated by nothing only sympathy towards the gallery. I made no reflection apart from that.