asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will alter the conditions of employment of the crew of the research vessel, the Cú na Mara, which was recently put out of commission due to a fire, to provide that they will suffer no reduction in pay pending the return to service of the vessel; or, alternatively, if he will provide other suitable work for the crew.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Research Vessel Crew.
23.
The conditions of employment of the skippers and crews of the two fishery research vessels Cú Feasa and Cú na Mara were determined in consultation with the trade union involved and, in regard to some aspects, with the assistance of a conciliation officer of the Labour Court. I do not propose to depart from what was agreed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when this agreement was brought up? Would he also bear in mind the fact that the crew of the Cú na Mara which was destroyed by fire at Cahirciveen — I happened to be there on the night it took place — are from Dún Laoghaire and Howth and that on the day after the fire these men were notified that they were on unemployment benefit? Some of them have ten to 15 years' service and should be better recompensed than by being made temporary employees.
These men are sufficiently protected by the agreement which was arrived at in February, 1971, in consultation with the union under the chairmanship of a conciliation officer. I am quite satisfied with the arrangements.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that these men with ten to 18 years' service with Bord Iascaigh Mara are engaged only in a temporary capacity? If something like the burning of the Cú na Mara happens and the personnel involved are thrown out of employment, surely there is something wrong?
The Deputy cannot make an argument out of a question.
I want the Parliamentary Secretary to consider introducing some system whereby men who have served so long and so diligently with Bord Iascaigh Mhara would be compensated other than by being engaged on a temporary basis.
The Deputy is making an argument.
All I can say is that the conditions were agreed upon in consultation with the men's union and I have no reason to depart from that agreement.