asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the special difficulties of junior members of the Civil Service and teaching profession consequent on the rise in the cost of living; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome their special difficulty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Servants and Cost of Living.
I have no functions in relation to the remuneration either of members of the Civil Service or of the teaching profession.
Is the Minister aware that this question was addressed to the Taoiseach, who would not accept it; to the Minister for Finance, who would not accept it; and to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, who now says it is none of his business either? Would the Minister be good enough to say what member of the Government is responsible for the matter contained in the question? Is he aware that there are certain young teachers earning less than £3 a week, and certain young members of the Civil Service earning less than £3 a week?
Separate the questions. One part is a matter for Education and the other for Finance.
I wish to say that I was informed by your office, Sir, that Deputy Dillon insisted on putting this question to me, even after he had been told that I had no functions in the matter and I had suggested that it should be transferred to the Minister for Finance. It was on Deputy Dillon's insistence that the question was addressed to me.
There is no foundation whatever for that statement.
I was so informed by the office of the Ceann Comhairle.
The question was lodged in the general office. It was addressed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, who refused it, and it was transferred to the Minister for Finance, who refused it. It was then sent to the refugium peccatorum, the office of the Taoiseach, who refused it, and it then found its way back to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, who now refuses it.
Why does not the Deputy divide the question into two?
I should like to make this submission to you, Sir: the matter arises in connection with the procedure relating to bonus Orders and so forth.
It does not.
Provision is made for every other class of wage-earner to make formal application for a bonus Order, but there are certain categories of servants in the State, notably junior teachers, junior civil servants and junior university lecturers, who——
The Deputy may not debate a question for which the Minister to whom it is addressed has no responsibility.
Who is responsible? They all say they are not responsible.
The Deputy should address half his query to the Minister for Finance and the other to the Minister for Education. I think they are the Ministers concerned.
They are both restricted by the Orders made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
This matter came to my notice, and I suggested that the question be separated, so that each Minister to whom it referred would take responsibility. It was referred back, and I was told that Deputy Dillon insisted on keeping the question as he had it and that he would not divide it.
Between hopping and trotting, I am getting no answer. If I address the question to the Minister for Education and to the Minister for Finance, I shall get two answers?
Yes.
I am getting no answer now, but I am getting a promise of two. Very well.