Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Feb 1966

Vol. 220 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission and Forestry Workers.

43.

asked the Minister for Lands if a decision has yet been made on the application made in February 1965 by the Federation of Rural Workers for a sick-pay scheme and pension scheme for certain employees of the Land Commission and the Forestry Division of his Department.

No final decision has yet been made in regard to these matters. I hope that my Department will be in a position to discuss these matters further with the unions concerned in the near future.

In view of the lectures on the necessity for good labour relations given by the Government recently to trade unions and to members of this House, would the Minister explain why it takes almost 12 months to get even initial discussions like this under way?

The Deputy is well aware that this new proposal for a sick pay scheme will affect other workers besides forestry workers.

It was new 12 months ago.

It will probably affect all the employees of the Board of Works, and in view of that fact, I do not think the delay in the discussions has been unreasonable.

I am not blaming the Minister. He was ill during a long part of the year or the position might have been different. I am sure the Minister will agree that it is unreasonable when the matter was discussed 12 months ago with the trade unions and the employers to be told now, 12 months later, that the matter is still under consideration. If it had been taken to the Labour Court, it would have been settled a long time ago.

That is not a question; it is a statement.

I am glad I got it in.

This question affects many State employees besides forestry workers.

Top
Share