asked the Minister for Lands the latest developments in regard to a pay claim submitted by workers employed by the Forestry Section of his Department working under adverse conditions who are seeking an increase of £1 per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay Claim of Forestry Workers.
71.
A claim on the lines of that referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department. No decision on the matter has yet been reached.
Can the Minister say why there has been such a long delay in dealing with this matter in view of the statements made by Ministers that the eighth round wage increase has been satisfactorily settled?
I understand that negotiations are still going on in this matter and inquiries have to be made.
Is the Minister aware that no negotiations have been carried out, good, bad or indifferent, except for a simple "No" from the Minister's Department?
I do not accept that. The information before me is that negotiations were taking place some time ago and that certain inquiries had to be made about this claim and that the matter is still under consideration by the Department and those concerned.
How long has it been going on?
For quite some time.