asked the Minister for Lands if he will grant a half-hour dinner break to forestry workers employed by his Department at Mongorry Forest, County Donegal, in view of the fact that this request is in general agreement with the wishes of the men and in the interests of better harmony.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dinner Break for Donegal Forestry Workers.
37.
The same mid-day meal break applies at State forests generally and it is not proposed to make an exception in the case of the men employed at Mongorry.
Would the Minister state when does he change the dinner time to allow foresters to have a half-hour dinner break?
The time that obtains at this forest for the dinner break is general throughout the service.There have been only a couple of instances in very exposed areas where there has been a change.
The Minister has not answered my question. I would like to ask the Minister what factors he takes into consideration in agreeing to a request such as this?
I shall put it another way to the Deputy. One of the strong reasons for having a uniform hour is the moving of machinery from forest to forest which could not operate successfully if the men had different hours at different forests.
Surely the Minister will appreciate that when he has granted a request such as this in Pettigo forest, he should grant it in Mongorry? The men at the Mongorry forest leave their homes at 7 o'clock in the morning and do not arrive back until six o'clock in the evening. This is a simple request and the men are in agreement with it. In the interest of harmony between the Department and the workers, the Minister should agree to the request.
We just cannot have different hours in different forests. The hours that obtain in this forest are the same as the hours generally obtaining throughout the country, with just a couple of exceptions.
Would the Minister say why he is refusing this request?
Question No. 38.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy might have given notice earlier.
(Interruptions.)