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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Jul 1960

Vol. 183 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irishmen Recruited by German Firm.

4.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for External Affairs whether his Department have yet made any enquiry into the present whereabouts and circumstances of the thirty-six Irishmen who were recruited by a German firm recently and were referred to by the Minister for Transport and Power in the Dáil on 5th July; and if he is satisfied that the men are being fairly and humanely treated.

Of the thirty-six men referred to by the Deputy nine have returned from their first period at sea. Three of these have since left Bremen; they did not request any assistance and it is understood that they proposed returning to Ireland. One minor applied to the Embassy for assistance and is being repatriated today. The remaining five of this group have stated that they are satisfied with their conditions of employment and wish to return to sea. The other twenty-seven men are still at sea.

A representative of the Embassy at Bonn visited Bremen recently and made a thorough inspection of the boats on which the men were working and of the firm's hostel in which they are accommodated before their first period at sea and between periods at sea. He enquired about rates of pay. He also spoke to some of the men who had returned from their first period at sea and were staying in the hostel.

The Embassy representative has made a full report to me in the matter. Conditions in the hostel and on the boats are good; the accommodation provided is comfortable and the food provided is good. Since some of the men were unaccustomed to the type of food provided on the boats, the firm arranged to provide special food for them. Wages are in accordance with agreements between the firm and the appropriate German trade union. I am satisfied that the men are being fairly and humanely treated.

5.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he is aware that the German firm which recently recruited a large number of Irishmen for work abroad promised to send sums of money weekly to the wives of any married men who worked for them, and that the promised sums of money have not been received by the wives; and what action his Department are taking in the matter.

No complaints have been made to my Department either direct or through the Embassy at Bonn regarding the alleged failure of the German firm to honour an arrangement whereby some of the wages due to the men should be paid to their wives.

A representative of the Embassy at Bonn during a visit to the firm concerned was invited to inspect the firm's accounts and a number of postal vouchers. As a result he was satisfied that the firm had made regular payments to the wives and families in Ireland of some of the men. Such payments were, of course, made only in cases where the men had requested it and where the men had actually worked for the firm.

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