asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the protracted negotiations between the Electricity Supply Board Officers Association and the Electricity Supply Board which resulted in the rejection by the Board on 30th January, 1963 of a claim on behalf of the Association that salary should be related to the standard of living, and that this matter was then referred by the Association to the Statutory Tribunal established by the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Act, 1948; and whether the recent White Paper will apply to this dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - ESB Officers' Salary Claim.
12.
I am aware that negotiations proceeded between the Electricity Supply Board Officers Association and the Board of the Electricity Supply Board on a claim from the Association for salary increase. I am not aware that these negotiations were protracted. I understand that the Board of the Electricity Supply Board rejected the claim and that the matter has been referred by the Association to the statutory tribunal established by the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Act, 1948, and that it may, therefore, be regarded as sub judice at this stage. When the finding of the tribunal emerges it will, in the event that an increase is recommended, necessarily have to be considered in the light of the provisions of paragraph 21 of the White Paper with particular reference to whether such increase was one which would arouse expectations of similar increases in other employments.
Is the Minister aware that on 21st February the Minister for Finance, in the course of his speech on the White Paper, stated that matters which had been the subject of discussion for some months either before the Labour Court or at arbitration would be in a different category and would not come within the terms of the White Paper?
I am not in a position to answer that question.
Perhaps the Minister would draw the attention of the Minister for Finance to Column 110 of the Dáil Debates of Thursday, 21st February where he will see the reference?
I shall certainly do that.