asked the Minister for Local Government if he has issued a circular or guidelines to local authorities in connection with the interpretation placed on the National Agreement by his Department; and, if so, if he will state the terms of the document.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Wage Agreement.
129.
Local authorities were, at the request of the Minister for Finance, supplied with copies of the National Agreement and requested to co-operate in the achievement of the objectives of the Agreement and, in particular, were requested when dealing with all claims for improvements in wages or conditions of employment to have regard to the terms of the Agreement.
Would the Minister consider that was entirely necessary having regard to the fact that the County Managers Association were a party to the agreement? Is there a change in the circular issued which requires even wage increases which would normally be granted without reference to the Minister's Department should be sent to him for sanction?
There are two questions there. Which question does the Deputy want me to answer?
The first one.
Was it necessary?
Yes.
That is a matter of opinion but it is good policy to remind the county managers of the Government's sincere intention in regard to the national wage agreements.
Was the notice not sent to them for the purpose of telling them that they were not to do something which they already knew they could not do, that is to breach the agreement? I can assure the Minister that every one of them had got a copy of the agreement before the Minister sent them one. It is now necessary for the local authorities to send to the Minister for sanction for something which they could have passed and paid under their existing regulation without such sanction. That is not a fair way to deal with the national wage agreement.
I do not think there has been any great change.