asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why he found it necessary to employ a subcontractor for the laying of telephone cables rather than having the work carried out by his own Engineering Staff; and if staff employed by the subcontractor are being paid trade union rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laying of Telephone Cables.
29.
It has been the practice to employ contractors to carry out the laying of underground cables in circumstances where a quick and substantial increase in cable laying is required in addition to works being undertaken by Departmental staff, or where schemes of abnormal magnitude have to be undertaken. In such cirumstances the contractor undertakes to pay the rates of wages and observe the general conditions recognised or prevailing in the district where the work is being carried out. He is also responsible for the observance of this undertaking by any subcontractor. No breach of the undertaking in current contracts has come to my notice.