asked the Minister for Labour what steps he proposes to take to provide employment for the paper mill workers who have recently been dismissed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Paper Mill Workers.
98.
The Employment Service of my Department is keeping in close touch with the situation. I have been informed that one of the 12 men involved has already been re-employed by the firm and that the remainder will be taken back as opportunity arises. The Employment Service will give all possible assistance in placing these workers in alternative employment in the meanwhile.
Would the Minister arrange with the Department that Telefís Éireann, Bord Bainne and other bodies like that would buy materials from this establishment and not buy them from foreign concerns, and then there would be employment for these people.
I understand the unions involved are going to take this matter up with the Buy Irish people, if that is what the Deputy has in mind.
It is about time somebody did something about it.
What steps has the Minister's Department taken to secure alternative employment for these people?
To create employment?
To secure alternative employment for these people?
The Deputy must be aware of the steps taken by me and my Department in this case. There are no steps being taken to create employment, as the Deputy has in mind, but the service is there for contacting other local employers to find out if any suitable employment is available.
The Minister did not understand me correctly. What steps have been taken by the Minister's Department to secure alternative employment for these people?
We have sought alternative employment, but the Deputy is trying to get across the idea that I must create employment.
The Minister would be better engaged if, instead of waving the big stick ——
Organised workers will be doing a grand day's job if they turn to you for help if they get themselves into trouble. The organised workers are better advised by those who see to their long-term interests.
What steps has the Minister taken ——
Does the Deputy think he can take care of organised workers if they do not accept my advice?
The Minister indicated that one of a number of workers had been re-employed ——
One of 12.
—— and that the balance would be re-employed as soon as possible, I assume, by the firm which dis-employed them?
Yes.
That phrase, as we well know, can mean anything or nothing, and more often means nothing. I would ask the Minister would he consider getting in touch again with the firm and impressing on them the great urgency there is for the re-employment of these men at a fixed date in order to give them an idea of when they will obtain re-employment. It should be appreciated that the men, many of them married men with families, just cannot wait around in the shadow of that vague phrase "as soon as possible." Be it long or short, they should be told the time.
Both Deputies were present at a deputation from the unions which came to me and they must be aware of what has been achieved in this total matter since then. While these people have transferred some work to Waterford, which meant the closing down of a section in Dublin, they intend as soon as possible to absorb again in other activities the people who were put out of employment in that section.
Does the Minister not see the sense in what I say?
What the Deputy seems to think is that I can create or make them create employment. They are doing their best to re-absorb the men.
It seems to me the Minister has come in here with a chipboard on his shoulder.
The Deputy is implying something with which I cannot agree.
If that is the Minister's attitude then we will oblige him by knocking the chipboard off as often as he likes. I am concerned about the workers and the point I am making is that, if the Minister could get this firm to say to the workers that they expect to be able to take them back on such and such a date, that would be far better for him, for us, for the workers, for all concerned; they should know what the situation is, whatever the date may be, rather than have them waiting around, as I say, in a hope which may never materialise.
The Deputy is clearly not asking a question.
That would be an easy thing to do if we had no such thing as unemployment and could give an accurate forecast. That would be a very desirable situation.
Question No. 99.
Is the Minister aware that, having agreed to this "as soon as possible" as a result of representations to this particular firm, he having advised the unions to go to see the firm, the unions did not get a good reception? They were left standing around.
If the Deputies had been listening to the deputation on which they sat they would be aware of a much more serious situation.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 99.
I have done a lot more work on this than Deputy Cluskey has and Deputy Cluskey can be assured we will take care of their interests.
The Minister seems to think he discharges his duties in full as Minister for Labour by receiving a deputation.
I do not; I do far more than that. I can assure the Deputy I did a great deal more than the Deputy, whose job it is to look after these people.
That is the Minister's job. He is the Minister for Labour.
I have done my job.
The Minister's job seems to consist of waving the big stick.
The Deputy shouts "Tolpuddle" and draws his pay. Let the Deputy tell the workers he will guarantee what will happen to them afterwards if they follow his advice.
Question No. 99. Would the Minister please answer Question No. 99?
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputies please allow the Minister to answer Question No. 99?
Deputies cannot deal with me by shouting. If they can earn their living by shouting, that is a great thing.
Will the Minister now answer Question No. 99?