asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state why the interim increase in wages for fishery protection staff forwarded to him in July, 1970 by the Drogheda Board of Conservators has not yet been sanctioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Protection Staff.
60.
The proposal for an interim increase in wages for their fishery protection staff was received in my Department from Drogheda Board of Fishery Conservators at a time when negotiations for a settlement on rates for boards generally were impending. Negotiations previously conducted in the Labour Court at conciliation level had resulted in common wage rates being adopted for the staffs of all boards, including those of the Drogheda Board. It was therefore considered advisable to await the outcome of the negotiations already referred to so that uniformity of resulting wage levels might be maintained. I understand that it was agreed at recent discussions at conciliation level that the conciliation officer should take the requisite steps towards bringing the claims in question to hearing in the Labour Court for adjudication.
Where did the Parliamentary Secretary obtain the information that uniform rates were being paid to the people concerned in view of the fact that rates vary from one end of the country to the other? Does he not agree if arrangements are being made to have a case heard by the Labour Court in either December, 1970 or January, 1971 that it is most unfair to prevent people still living on the 11th round, that is wage rates which were being paid to other people two years ago, from getting the 30s or 50s a week which they would otherwise have got, particularly as that is much less than the ultimate settlement will be? Will the Parliamentary Secretary say why this is so?
Everyone agrees it is desirable to have a uniform level of wages for the 17 boards throughout the country, or to get as near as possible to it. The Deputy will agree it is unsatisfactory to have varying wages paid to the staffs throughout the country and we are trying to bring about uniformity in this matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that a uniform rate of wages, that is farm workers' wages, is being paid to fishery board staff all over the country?
No. What I am saying is that we are trying to bring about a position where uniformity of wages will apply because it is much more desirable.
What has the Parliamentary Secretary done about that, apart from sending someone along to the Labour Court to oppose increases?
As I said in my reply it was more or less agreed at conciliation level that this should go to the Labour Court for adjudication.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not appreciate that the recommendation I am talking about was sent to his Department in July, 1970? It is now December, 1970, and the case has still not been cleared up? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that those people are at least entitled in the meantime to whatever extra few pounds of an interim payment was recommended? Would he take steps to have that sanctioned now? They are still a long way behind the others.
I am calling Question No. 61.
l suppose the best I can expect is a Christmas card from the Parliamentary Secretary.