asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can state upon what rate of wages the estimates for the carrying out of the Siemens-Schuckert Shannon Waterpower Scheme have been based; what rate per hour, or per week, has been allowed for ordinary labourers, and what rate for tradesmen; if he is aware that the scheme cannot be compared with other schemes, unless the rate of wages included is known and allowed for.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SHANNON WATERPOWER SCHEME.
I do not propose to publish details of these matters which the Deputy will find sufficiently dealt with in the Experts' Report, and which must ultimately be the subject of arrangement between those responsible for carrying out the works and the employees. I do not agree with the Deputy's view that decisions as to what electrification schemes are the best for the Saorstát depend upon a comparison as to rates of wages.
Could the Minister give any information as to whether or not that report will be published? I think there was a suggestion that it might be possible to publish the report, either in full or somewhat abridged, for Deputies.
The Experts' Report is at present in the hands of the Experts for the reconciliation of certain very small details, and I had a wire from one of them to say that his particular portion had been sent on last Friday. I am in hopes it will be possible to publish the report—a document of 120 printed pages—about the end of the week. The Siemens' scheme in an abridged form ought to be published about the same time. I hope to get both published together.