asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that County Wexford has been included in the group C areas by the Agricultural Wages Board, and that the western seaboard and congested counties are included in the same group; and whether, since the ability of farmers to pay the appropriate minimum rate has been stated to be one of the considerations which influences the board, he will indicate the reasons which influenced the board to fix over the past 21 years the same minimum rate of wages in Wexford as in the congested counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Wages in Wexford.
I am aware that the same minimum rate of wages applies to County Wexford and to 21 other counties or parts of counties. The considerations which have influenced the Agricultural Wages Board in the grouping of the counties for the purposes of their orders are matters in which I have no function—these being entirely within the province of the board.