asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the scheme of conciliation and arbitration to permit post office clerical officers, referred to in a reply of 21st February, 1962, and other civil servants in analogous grades to have their application for increased children's allowances decided by arbitration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Clerical Workers: Children's Allowances.
23.
The answer is "no".
Can the Minister give one good reason why these grades should be refused the right to take their case to arbitration?
It has not been the practice, let us say, that the extension of any service is arbitrated upon. The consideration of the pay question is arbitrated upon, but not the extension.
Is it not a fact that every grade has been brought up, except the grade in question? Will the Minister not reconsider the matter in view of that, or does he still want to have the snob value?
It is quite all right to consider a matter for conciliation when it is part of a bargain.