asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that two contractors under the land rehabilitation project operating in the Hillstreet, County Roscommon area, near Carrick-on-Shannon, abandoned the work without having it completed, leaving theland in an unworkable condition, and without paying their workers up-to-date, and, if so, if he will take steps to have (a) the schemes completed; (b) the workers paid arrears of wages, and (c) a bond entered into in future by all such contractors to ensure that a recurrence of such actions will not take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abandonment of Rehabilitation Work.
Mr. Walsh
I am aware that two contractors, who were working under contract to my Department on the land reclamation scheme in County Roscommon, have ceased work before completion of their contracts. There is established legal procedure for dealing with all matters arising in regard to contracts. The Deputy may rest assured that the correct procedure will be followed in these cases. I can also assure the Deputy that any work contracted for which has been left unfinished in the area will be completed. My Department cannot accept responsibility, however, for payment of wages to workmen employed by contractors.
In the event of the contractors not having collected the amount of money due for the work done and if there is still a balance for the contractors in the Department would the Minister consider compensating the workers?
Mr. Walsh
Certainly not. We have no responsibility for the payment of workers and we are not going to undertake that responsibility.