andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the recent reference to protest action by ESB workers if the Government White Paper on incomes and output in its application to their demands is not withdrawn or suspended; and whether, in the circumstances and to allay public disquiet, the Government will reconsider the matter and rescind their decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Workers' Pay Claim.
23.
I have seen certain references in the public press to this matter. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
In view of the fact that the Minister and the Government on another occasion precipitated a crisis and an emergency by ignoring the claims of the workers, and put the country on the verge of very considerable hardship, would he not agree he should intervene at an early stage in order to concede the demands of these employees and not to allow the crisis to develop?
I do not agree the Government have been responsible for the crisis of which the Deputy speaks. Secondly, there has been a very considerable measure of public understanding in regard to the implications of the White Paper Closing the Gap. Deputies are aware of that. I hope there will continue to be the same understanding, particularly in view of the very full statement made by the Taoiseach in regard to the whole matter. He expressed the view that with a growing productivity and growing prosperity, there must be a growth in remuneration. He included in that reference the need for employees themselves to take part in the prosperity drive by themselves taking advice from the statements contained in the White Paper.
Has the Minister any responsibility in this matter?
The Deputy knows very well a statement was issued to the ESB expressing the view that in present circumstances the award of the tribunal should not be implemented for the present, indicating that the statements in the White Paper were quite clear—that such matters could be discussed and decisions made on them but that some time might elapse while the state of the economy was being examined, that later action could be taken.
Has the Minister any responsibility in this matter?
I have ultimate responsibility for the prosperity and wellbeing of the ESB.
Has the Minister any responsibility in this matter? No, he has not. I have a letter from you, Sir, informing me that where the Minister has no responsibility, he will not answer questions.
The Deputy must allow Deputy Dr. Browne to ask a question.
Has the Minister any responsibility in this matter?
Will Deputy Lynch allow Deputy Dr. Browne to ask his question?
How do the Minister and Government relate their repeated assertions about the growing productivity and the expanding prosperity of the economy and their exhortations to the manufacturers to relate wage demands to productivity to their refusal to grant any increases? If productivity is rising and prosperity expanding, why are workers not allowed to benefit?
The Taoiseach has made all that perfectly clear.
To whom? To you? Certainly not to the public.
He has made it perfectly clear to all——
You cannot have it both ways.
——that there had been a slight increase in productivity recently, indicating that the trend we hope for will continue.
Has the Minister any responsibility?