asked the Minister for Health whether, as stated by a trade union representative before the recent sitting of the Labour Court, only 5 per cent. of the employees of the Dublin Corporation at present seeking an increase in salary are employed in the health services, and, if not, if he will state the correct percentage, and the exact number of employees so employed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Health Services.
I have no reason to doubt that the statement referred to in the question is substantially accurate.
In view of the fact that the figure given at the recent hearing at the Labour Court indicates that only a small percentage of Dublin Corporation employees are employed in health activities, would the Minister inform the House whether he personally will withdraw his objection to sanction the Labour Court award?
That is just a sample of the misrepresentation of which there is so much to-day. The employees of the Dublin Corporation who are directly employed on health services are undoubtedly a very small fraction, but they are a very small fraction also of the total number of health employees throughout the country. In the case of health employees in general, the cost of any award which may be made by the Labour Court will fall, as to 50 per cent. of it, to be borne by the Exchequer, that is to say, by the taxpayer whom Deputy Declan Costello purports to represent in this House. I have a duty to make those who are concerned in these matters aware of the implications of their actions, in order that, as I have said, the taxpayers may be defended to the extent to which a responsible Minister is called upon to do it.
Are we to understand, a Cheann Comhairle, from the Minister's reply, that he is still opposing sanction of the Labour Court award?
Sir, I have already said that that is a typical example of misrepresentation which is so prevalent elsewhere. It is not my duty to oppose the award of the court, but it is my duty to put before the court, to the extent to which I am able to do it, indirectly, all the arguments in favour of the taxpayer. Does Deputy Declan Costello suggest I should not do it, that I should go into cold storage——
Yes.
——or put my responsibilities into abeyance as his predecessors did?
When the Minister is considering the question of authorising these increases to employees of local authorities, will he bear in mind that this year the Government proposes to make a free gift of £250,000 to the master bakers?
These matters are entirely irrelevant.