Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 May 1966

Vol. 222 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Forestry and Land Commission Workers.

27.

Mr. Mullen

asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that on 11th February, 1966, the Irish Transport and General Workers Union served a claim on his Department for an increase of £1 per week on behalf of forestry workers; and if, in consideration of the very low basic wage paid to these workers, he will indicate to the Dáil whether, in the light of the Government's acceptance of the guide lines recently issued by the Labour Court, it is his intention to sanction the payment of this increase without further delay.

28.

Mr. James Tully

asked the Minister for Lands when it is proposed to grant forestry workers and Land Commission workers an increase in wages of £1 per week.

Mr. Faulkner

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together. I am aware that applications for an increase in pay of £1 per week for Forestry and Land Commission workers had been made by the unions concerned. My Department is at present examining the implications of current developments in regard to the award of pay increases to workers in comparable rural employments, and should be in a position to get in touch with the unions concerned in the matter at an early date.

Mr. James Tully

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Department of Finance have made it a common practice in matters of wage negotiations to delay for many months after everybody else has settled, and will he ensure that does not happen this time?

Mr. Faulkner

I am afraid I cannot say any more, except that part of the reply states that we should be in a position to get in touch with the unions concerned at an early date.

Mr. James Tully

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware the negotiations which took place in February, 1965, have never been finalised by his Department and will he ensure that something like that will not happen in this case?

Mr. Faulkner

That does not refer to this question.

Mr. James Tully

But it is an attempt to prevent a recurrence.

Mr. O'Leary

When the Parliamentary Secretary refers to comparable groups of workers, would he say what groups of workers are comparable with forestry workers and Land Commission workers?

Mr. Faulkner

It refers to workers in comparable rural employment.

Mr. James Tully

The Labour Court recommendation says nothing about that. It says "lower paid workers", and the Minister should accept that the same as everybody else.

Mr. Corish

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if there will be retrospection in the award?

Mr. Faulkner

As Deputies are aware, since this application went in. there were no developments in the meantime which would serve as guide line awards.

Mr. James Tully

Do not be codding yourself.

Mr. Faulkner

Until quite recently, until the Agricultural Wages Board award to adult farm workers.

Mr. Corish

There was a guide line by the Labour Court.

Mr. James Tully

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the wages of forestry workers and Land Commission workers were related to those of farm workers eight years ago, and why does he require a further guide line?

Mr. O'Leary

The Parliamentary Secretary need have no doubt that these are in the category of lower paid workers and the Taoiseach said these should be looked after.

Mr. Faulkner

I have already said the Department are examining the position and that they should be in a position to get in touch with the unions concerned in the matter at an early date.

Mr. Cluskey

When the Parliamentary Secretary states they are examining the implications of it, surely the Government and the Minister concerned examined the implications before the Taoiseach replied to the communication from the FUE?

Mr. Faulkner

What I did say was that the Department were examining the implications of current developments in regard to the award of pay increases to workers in comparable rural employment.

Mr. Cluskey

Is the Parliamentary Secretary suggesting that the Taoiseach and the Government did not consider these implications before replying to the FUE?

Dr. O'Connell

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by an early date? Is it a month or two months?

Deputies

After the Presidential election.