asked the Minister for Lands if a decision has yet been made on the application made by the Federation of Rural Workers for a 42½-hour, five-day week all the year round (a) for Land Commission workers and (b) for forestry workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission and Forestry Workers.
30.
Within the past fortnight deputations from the trade unions concerned attended in my Department to put forward their case for this concession but no decision has yet been reached in the matter.
Would the Minister not agree that the Government are again dragging their feet, in view of the fact that all other public employments and most private employments have granted the 42½ hour five-day week? Would he not try to get an early decision in this matter, otherwise, it will be held over for another couple of months?
I do not think this has been granted in all other employments. This deputation was only within the last fortnight and a decision, as I said, has not been made yet. There is no question of dragging feet.
The Minister is not Minister for Lands, but surely his brief should tell him that this matter has been under consideration for many months?
It does not.
In fact, the deputation was the culminating point. There was not much point in meeting the trade unions to discuss the matter if the Department were not ready to make up their mind. Would the Minister try now to get them to make up their mind when they have all the evidence before them?
The matter is under consideration.
It has been under consideration for two years.
Could the Minister say approximately when a decision will be given?
No.