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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1968

Vol. 236 No. 3

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

109.

asked the Minister for Lands what is the present position regarding the claim for increased wages, service pay and extra holidays lodged by trade unions for forestry and Land Commission employees of his Department.

My Department will have further discussions on these claims with the trade unions concerned at a very early date.

Is the Minister aware that this matter has been deferred for a considerable time and that there seems to be some inter-departmental trouble about reaching a decision on an offer? Would the Minister say when the negotiations are resumed will it be possible to discuss, or have an offer on the matters already raised, particularly with the Land Commission? Is he aware that the Land Commission have made an offer of only 15/- a week, the same as the Forestry section, in respect of wages but have made no effort whatever to negotiate on the other claims before them for quite a considerable time?

As I have told the Deputy, further discussions will take place at a very early date. On a previous occasion I told the Deputy that discussions would take place and I think he will agree that they did take place pretty quickly.

I appreciate that the Minister is as anxious as I am to get the matter settled but I am afraid that on the last occasion I would not say that what took place were discussions: officials coming in and saying: "Fifteen shillings — take it or leave it" is not discussion. I ask the Minister to impress on his officials meeting the trade unions the importance of making a reasonable offer and discussing that offer.

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