andMr. Cunningham asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether the Council of the Boards of Conservators have recommended the introduction of an improved system of pay and conditions for fishery inspectors; and whether this system has been introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Inspectors' Pay and Conditions.
34.
Following a claim submitted by their union on behalf of the fisheries protection staff of 15 boards of conservators seeking improved rates of pay and conditions of employment the Council of Boards of Conservators recommended to my Department that an increase in pay be granted. This increase has now been sanctioned.
35.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why there is such a discrepancy in conditions of pay between fishery inspectors employed by the Electricity Supply Board and those employed by boards of conservators.
36.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will introduce uniform rates of pay and conditions for all fishery inspectors.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
The rates of pay and conditions of employment of fishery inspectors and other protection staff are determined by the boards of conservators subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries. The duties and responsibilities of the officers concerned vary in the different fishery districts according to the size of each district and the extent of fishery waters therein. In the circumstances the introduction of uniform rates of pay is not feasible.
In so far as fishery protection staff employed by the Electricity Supply Board is concerned these officers are engaged primarily in protection of privately-owned fisheries and their duties are not strictly comparable with those of the employees of the boards of conservators.