(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment if it is a fact that local authority engineers are working to rule, or going slow, arising out of a dispute with his Department; and if he appreciates the immediate disruptive effects this is having on the local services concerned, and on employment giving schemes; the steps he is taking to resolve the dispute at once; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local Authority Engineers' Dispute.
491.
A claim for increased salaries for local authority engineers is at present being processed at conciliation level through the local authorities conciliation and arbitration scheme. The most recent meeting of the conciliation committee consisting of representatives of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board and representatives of the staff panel was on Friday, 20 October 1978. Conciliation proceedings are confidential under the scheme and I do not wish to comment further on the other matters at this stage.