andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether it is a fact that manual workers at Marina power station, Cork, have had a claim for better working conditions for a period of two and a half years with the ESB; that clerical staff have received seven and a half per cent increase in salaries; and that no such increase has been accorded to manual workers; and if he will make a statement as to when the ESB propose to deal with the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork ESB Manual Workers.
5.
As the Deputies are no doubt aware, the working conditions of ESB employees, including the employees in question, are the subject of negotiations between the Board and the ESB group of unions within the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and with other unions concerned and, in the circumstances, I would deem it inappropriate for me to make any statement in the matter.
The Minister is aware that the men's main grievance is the terribly long delay which has attended the negotiations. In view of that, would the Minister not consider that as Minister for Transport and Power, he is responsible and is in control of the ESB in major matters of policy and that he should see that the grievances of the men are solved without any delay? Has the Minister any comment to make?
I have no comment to make.
Has the Minister any responsibility for the ESB?
I have given the answer to the Deputy and I do not intend to say anything further.
You would like a crisis to develop as it did before, in other words.