asked the Minister for External Affairs if he has completed his enquiries in regard to the conditions under which young Irish workers are engaged in potato picking in Scotland; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Workers in Scottish Potato Fields.
13.
The special inquiries I have had made into this matter show that there are grounds for grave complaint about the living conditions for seasonal workers in the Girvan district of Ayrshire. Although there are comprehensive bye-laws and regulations with respect to the provision of proper accommodation for seasonal workers these are not being enforced. Strong representations have been made to the appropriate local authorities as to the necessity for strict enforcement.
Will the Minister seek to ensure in future, before children are allowed on these expeditions, that conditions will not be such as have applied up to the present?
As the Deputy is aware, I have no power to prohibit anybody leaving the country.
Will the Minister, through the Taoiseach, pass word on——
The Taoiseach has not any power either.
It is about time he did have.
Is the Minister aware that children of school attendance age, that is 14 years, are going potato picking to Scotland from the West of Ireland? Are no measures called for to control such a departure?
Are they all orphans?
No, they are not orphans. They are the children of poor people, people made poor by the Deputy's Party.
If the Deputy goes on like that he will get his reply.
I want a reply.
The fact is that the Deputy is now trying to show great enthusiasm about this particular matter. There has been no change in the situation. There was no change in the two periods of three years during which the Deputy was in Government here. The fact is this is not a political question but, if the Deputy wants to treat it politically here——
I want to know why children are going potato picking in Scotland?
There are no more going now than when the Deputy was here on these benches.
Nonsense.
It is true to say that a number of young children—young people——
Young children.
——people younger than I would like to see are going in these groups. They sometimes go with their parents, sometimes with their brothers or sisters. However, that is not the question here. The question is the accommodation for migratory workers, or seasonal workers, in certain districts in Scotland. No matter who goes into these areas, whether they are Irish, English, or Scotch, the houses are not in a fit state to take migratory workers. All we can do is hope that the accommodation for seasonal workers on Scottish farms will be improved in the interests of all workers, be they Irish, Scotch, English, or anything else.
I hope Irish children will not have to go picking potatoes in Scotland. That is a very modest hope.
Fewer have to go now than when the Deputy was on these benches.
The record for their going was the year 1956.