I move:
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £23,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, for the salaries and expenses of the State Laboratory.
Vote 10: State Laboratory.
I should like to raise a matter on this Estimate which I find a little difficult. Indeed, I would rather if I did not have to do so, but it is probably the only way I can deal with the matter. It has come to my attention recently that there has been a certain amount of unsatisfactory industrial relations in the State Laboratory. People who have given many years—in some cases exceeding 30 years—satisfactory service under previous State chemists now find themselves involved in difficulties and disputes in the State Laboratory. I have heard only one side of this story and I do not wish to be taken as condemning the other side. But it does seem, on the face of it, that what has happened indicates that something has gone wrong with industrial relations in the State Laboratory. I want to ask the Minister if he would personally, or if, as understandably, he might not be able personally to involve himself in this, designate a very senior officer in one of his Departments, whichever is the appropriate one, presumably, the Department of the Public Service, to look into this matter. Something is going wrong that should not be happening. I do not want to drag out here details of what I have heard but I am satisfied that what has happened indicates that it is necessary for somebody to intervene from outside to remedy what is going on. I am urging the Minister to ensure that that is done.
I am grateful for the expression of the Deputy's concern. However, I can assure the Deputy that, as far as I am aware, the issue to which he refers primarily concerns one individual. I would not wish it to be thought that there was a grievous or extensive problem in the area described by him. In any event, I will certainly have the matter investigated at the highest possible level.
I think the Minister is misinformed. I personally know of two and I have been informed of a number of others. I have personal knowledge of two people concerned.
We will certainly have it examined.
Vote put and agreed to.