asked the Minister for Finance whether he is yet in a position to announce a decision on the representations made to him on behalf of the Post Office staff and other civil servants for an increase in the cost-of-living bonus to compensate for the steep rise in prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Workers' Bonus Claim.
The representations referred to by the Deputy have been under consideration, but it will be realised that these cannot be dealt with as an isolated factor. They must be considered in relation to the general problem of Government commitments and responsibilities in regard not only to the public services but also to other sections of the community and to the taxable capacity of the country. When the investigation of these matters has been completed, no time will be lost, I can assure the Deputy, in announcing a decision.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, I understood from the concluding speech of the Minister for Finance on his Estimate recently that he expressed the hope that he would be in a position to announce a decision on these representations at an early date. Bearing that in mind, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether there is any likelihood that a decision will be reached before Christmas?
Having regard to the amount of time devoted to this problem when the Minister's Estimate was being discussed in the Dáil only a short time ago, and the statement made by the Minister, I think I cannot add anything to what he said on that occasion.
That statement was made about three or four weeks ago, the belief then being that the Minister would be in a position to announce a decision shortly. His decision affects large numbers of people earning £1, £2 and £3 a week who cannot live on that wage having regard to the present high cost of living. Can the Parliamentary Secretary hold out any hope that a favourable decision on the representations made will be announced before Christmas?
I could not gather from the Minister's statement that any hope was being held out of an early or favourable decision.
The Parliamentary Secretary apparently is not aware of the fact that the Minister announced three months ago to a deputation that he hoped to be in a position to announce a decision within a fortnight from that date. That long period has elapsed, and still there is no decision.
I was listening to the statement of the Minister on the Estimate, and it is to that statement I am referring now.