asked the Minister for Lands why an issue of wellington boots has not yet been made to the men employed in Clogheen forest, County Tipperary, although they are engaged in work for which these boots are normally supplied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear for Forestry Workers.
25.
Sufficient rubber boots to meet local requirements have been issued and are now held in stock at Clogheen forest. Some delay occurred in meeting the forester's requisition in this instance but the men suffered little or no inconvenience thereby as ground conditions locally during the period were good.
Surely the Minister knows that is a lot of nonsense because the ground conditions in no forest could be considered good over the past three or four months? Is he aware that the boots in question have been on order for about three months and that these people have been either out in their own boots or working with wet feet because somebody slipped up in regard to this simple matter?
That is not so. The requisition was made recently, towards the end of February. The local conditions were good, contrary to what the Deputy says and there was no requisition for these boots from the men concerned.
The Minister is not telling the truth.
I am telling the truth as supplied to me by the forester in charge.
I am saying the forester is not telling the truth. It is on record in the Minister's Department that there was a requisition for these boots nearly three months ago.
That is not so.
They are just rural labourers and they do not count in your book.
Why is the Deputy getting so excited?
The Chinese do not need any boots from you.