asked the Minister for Lands whether the bonus scheme for forestry workers is regarded as satisfactory by (a) his Department and (b) the workers themselves.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Bonus Scheme.
16.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am glad to say that my information is that the scheme has been generally welcomed by the workers themselves. I have already placed on record that before the scheme was introduced it was discussed in detail with representatives of the various trade unions concerned and that they promised their support in securing its application.
Do I take it that the trade unions have already agreed that this is the best scheme in the interests of the workers?
I am glad to be able to reply to the Deputy that the trade unions, at the inauguration of the scheme, publicly welcomed it, and I am being pressed to introduce it more rapidly than it can be introduced at the present time, by representatives of the workers, in, for example, Tipperary.
My suggestion to the Minister would be to go easy with the scheme, so as to see how it works where it has been introduced.
That advice would be contrary to what I have been told and to the representations made to me by workers represented in counties adjacent to those where the scheme is already operating, such as Tipperary.