asked the Minister for Local Government if he proposes to sanction the arbitrator's award on the eighth round to those in local government service; and if, in so doing, he is giving approval to the introduction for the first time into the service of the principle of a differential between men and women in local government service doing like work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wage Differential in Local Authority Service.
31.
I have sanctioned those proposals which have been submitted by local authorities for the application to clerical officers of the separate salary scales recommended by the Chairman of the Arbitration Board for male and female officers but, in doing so, I have indicated to the local authorities concerned that I have also sanctioned any proposals which were received from local authorities for the application to existing female officers of the higher scale which had been recommended for male officers.
This refers to the McGonigal award with regard to these officers. Is it a fact that this award for the first time introduces a differential into the wage scales of employees of local authorities based on sex for identical work and inasmuch as it is the policy of the Government, as I understand it, to adhere to the Common Market in which the principle has been abolished, does the Minister think it desirable to introduce it into the public services and the local authorities here for the first time?
The Deputy must have missed the latter part of my reply. I said that in addition to approving the proposals which were made on the basis of the arbitration award, I have also sanctioned any proposals which were received from local authorities for the application to the existing female officers of the higher scale which had been recommended for the male officers.
Then in the case of any local authority who wish to give a uniform scale to male and female employees they are assured of the Minister's sanction for such a proposal, the award notwithstanding?
A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse and it is all there.
Is not the important word in the Minister's reply the word "existing"?
What is more important about that?
It indicates the Minister's future intention is to have this differential between male and female officers but not for existing staff. Is that not opposed to all equity in the matter?
He will have to be looking a long time in the future now.
(Interruptions.)
Between now and next week, so just have a look.
Is it not peculiar that we should get exactly the same wording from our own county manager, clearly indicating that the intention in the future is to have this differentiation?
I am not responsible for what the county manager says.
The Minister used the same wording.
I use my own wording and surely the Deputy's county manager has no more right to use this wording than anyone else.
Is the Minister aware that the employees concerned are under this impression, and will he clarify the situation?
What impression?
The impression that it relates only to serving officers.
Who are concerned at the moment except the serving officers?
They naturally have an interest in their colleagues.
Colleagues who do not even exist at the moment. These are the people the Deputy is talking about.
Will the Minister indicate what the policy will be when people are recruited into these posts?
When proposals for recruitment to any local authority come before me, I will then let that local authority know exactly why I put this in.
Has any indication been given relative to the future position?
No.
Sure?
Nothing has issued beyond what is contained there.
(Interruptions.)
Is it not a fact that in the last few days——
Probably the Deputy did something about that, too, like ringing up and telling us what to do.
The Minister is very cross today. Can we not ask a simple question?
Arising out of the Minister's impudent statement——
The Minister does not want to play Nkruma, does he?
The Fianna Fáil donkey wants to bray.
May I say I was merely trying to be helpful to the Minister?
He would not recognise that.
Inside the last few days, this matter has been straightened up, and I did not ring up the Minister's Department to tell anyone what to do. I am sure the officials anyway know what to do.
For the Deputy's information, the decision was made ten days ago and not just three days ago, so the Deputy is wrong again.
The Minister is wrong again. The decision I am talking about has not yet reached him.