Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1937

Vol. 65 No. 8

Supplementary Estimate, 1936-37. - Vote 63—Posts and Telegraphs.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. Traynor)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim Bhreise ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha aá Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith ná bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1937, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an Aire Puist agus Telegrafa (45 & 46 Vict., c. 74; 8 Edw. 7, c. 48; 1 & 2 Geo. V, c. 26; na hAchtanna Telegrafa, 1863 go 1928, etc.); agus Seirbhísí áirithe eile atá fé riaradh na hOifige sin.

That a Supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1937, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (45 and 46 Vict., c. 74; 8 Edw. 7, c. 48; 1 & 2 Geo. V, c. 26; The Telegraph Acts, 1863 to 1928, etc.), and of certain other Services administered by that Office.

The anticipated excess on the expenditure subhead of the Vote amounts to £17,280, due chiefly to increased provision for the development of the telephone service, civil aviation and meteorological wireless services and superannuation charges. Against this, there will be an estimated increase of £17,270 in the appropriations-in-aid, mainly because of extra receipts for pensions liability in respect of the savings bank staff. The consent of the Dáil is, however, necessary to offset one against the other, and consequently a supplementary estimate for what is really a token vote of £10 is required.

Mr. Brennan

Recently, when the Minister had before the House a certain Bill with regard to the evasion of stamp duties, he made certain statements with regard to the progress which the Post Office had been making. He endeavoured to show, and he did show, to the House that great progress had been made in that Department and that certain profits were now being made. In that respect, I think the Post Office, if it is making a profit, ought to utilise at least a portion of that profit to meet the needs of the rural districts. There are districts in my county where, if you post a letter, say, on Friday, it will not be delivered until the following Wednesday. I think that when the Minister asks for this additional money, he ought to be prepared to tell the House that the Department over which he presides is prepared to stand by the people and that it has obligations to the people. There is a matter which came to my notice the other day and possibly Deputy Norton will know something of it. It came to my notice accidentally. We have seen from time to time newspaper controversy with regard to the manner in which certain sub-postmasters are treated in the matter of salary, and, to my mind, at least, they seem to be in receipt of very poor allowances for the work they have to do. It came to my notice the other day that there is a vacancy in my immediate neighbourhood for a sub-postmaster or sub-postmistress. The salary, I understand, was £28 per annum, but in the new appointment it is going to be reduced to £18 for the same work.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Does the Minister fix the salaries or is this not a matter for the Minister for Finance?

Mr. Traynor

I do not think it arises on this.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It does not arise on this Estimate, but even if it were a general Estimate, is the Minister responsible?

Mr. Brennan

There is a heading "Salaries, Wages and Allowances," and I maintain that since that is in the Estimate, I am entitled to raise the matter. The matter I raise is a matter of salary, wage or allowance. I do not know what the Minister would call it, but it is something for which, to my mind, the Minister's Department, and his Department only, is responsible.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I have some doubt as to its arising relevantly on this. Can the Minister say whether there is any money to be voted here for the salaries of officials in suboffices to which the Deputy is referring?

Mr. Traynor

No, only for specific salaries. The Deputy is speaking in general terms.

An Leas Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have an opportunity of raising the point on the general Estimate.

Mr. Brennan

This item of salaries has to do with civil aviation and meteorological wireless services?

An Leas Cheann Comhairle

Yes.

Mr. Brennan

I took it that that gave me the right to raise this matter.

An Leas Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have an opportunity of raising the matter very soon.

Mr. Brennan

I certainly will take the opportunity of raising it.

Mr. Norton

There is provision made here for certain expenditure in connection with civil aviation and meteorological wireless services. There is a sum of £2,960 provided in respect of salaries, wages and allowances for this service. I would like to inquire from the Minister whether it is proposed to recruit all the Irish staff for the maintenance of wireless services at Rynanna or whether any representations had been made to the British to loan the British staff for that purpose; or has any definite decision been arrived at in that matter? I am interested also in the provision which is made under sub-head A.3 which provision is made for certain improvements in the pay of temporary officers. I would like to inquire from the Minister whether he has now got some remorse of conscience as to the wages paid——

Mr. Traynor

I did not have any remorse of conscience in that respect. That item really deals with an increased total expenditure rather than an increase in staff pay.

Mr. Norton

It says improvement in the pay.

Mr. Traynor

That is not correct. It should be described as an increase in the total expenditure rather than as it actually is described. A larger number of members of the temporary staff were brought on for the Christmas period and they were also taken on for a longer period than usual. That brought about the increased expenditure. As to the query about the wireless operators, with the exception of a few experts employed at the beginning, the wireless operators are Irish. If possible the staff will be an all-Irish staff. It is possible that some technicians may not be available except persons who are not Irish nationals. We may not be able to get Irishmen in respect of a particular appointment. I am not certain about that but it is only in such circumstances that we would go outside Ireland to get them.

Mr. Norton

Would the Minister say whether any representations have been made to the British for the loan of any staff, technical or operative?

Mr. Traynor

I do not think so.

Mr. Norton

Am I to take it then that the ultimate objective will be to staff this station by Irish technicians and operators?

Mr. Traynor

As far as humanly possible, yes.

Question put and agreed to.