asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the increased cost of living and the severe conditions under which they work, he will consider an increase in the weekly rate of pay of all forestry workers in County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
The wage rate of forestry workers employed in the County Donegal forests is related to that of road workers employed by the Donegal County Council. That system operates throughout the country and there are no grounds for according exceptional treatment to the Donegal workers.
Does the Minister not consider it unfair to classify road workers with forestry workers? After all, road workers are engaged on public roadways whereas the locus in quoof the forestry workers' operations is in the middle of the mountains. They suffer very great hardship in getting there and very few shelters are provided for them. In view of that fact, are they not entitled to preferential rates?
Is the Minister aware that just at the moment an increase is about to be granted to road workers in County Donegal? Would that not influence his attitude towards the forestry workers?
That depends on what you fix the rate at.
Road workers' wages are related to those of forestry workers.