asked the Minister for Local Government if and when he received any proposals from the Offaly County Manager for an increase in the present weekly wage of £4 per week paid to the roadworkers employed by the council; and if he is aware that workers employed by the Laoighis County Council under the same county manager are being paid at the rate of £4 5s. per week since last October and if he will state what action he proposes taking in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Road Workers' Wages.
No proposals have been received for an increase in the present weekly wage of £4 paid to the county council road workers in Offaly. The submission of such a proposal is entirely a matter for the local authority; I have no power to take the initiative in the matter.
Is the Minister awarethat when the local authority attempted to discuss this matter recently unfortunately the acting chairman accepted the statement of the county manager that the local authority had nothing to do with the matter?
I am not aware of half the things that happen down the country and I have no anxiety to be made aware of them. If, however, a proposal is sent to me from that council or any other council, I will examine it, as is my duty.
Am I to understand now that it is definitely exposed that the local authority means the county manager, not the members of the local authority?
The local authority is the local authority and the functions are defined by law as between the manager and the local authority.