asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on a report that some hundreds of Irish potato pickers in East Lothian, Scotland, are being grossly exploited by certain employment agents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Potato Pickers.
16.
The Irish Embassy, London, was in touch last week with one of the authors of the document mentioned in the press report, and is pursuing the matter.
It is intended that the provisions of the Employment Agency Bill, 1971, at present with the Seanad, will apply to agents seeking persons for work outside the country.
May I put it to the Minister that he should show more concern about responsible statements which came from seemingly very authentic sources? Would the Minister convey the very serious concern of the Government and the Members of the House to the British Employment Minister and, if necessary, to Secretary of State for Scotland? Would he also at least advise the local employment officers in the various employment exchanges in the counties from which emigrants travel to Scotland seasonally of the conditions which have been brought to his notice? Would he be prepared to take action in that regard and, if necessary, to conduct a special campaign? It would seem that these people are grossly and most wrongfully exploited if the newspaper reports and the reports from the local Irish observers are correct.
I read the report in the paper regarding the particular classes of people with whom I should be very familiar because most of them came from my own county down through the years.
And emigrated.
Their conditions were examined many times and they provided the subject matter for articles by journalists and authors. We have been in touch with them in recent years. In this report, emanating from what the Deputy said would appear to be an authentic source, it was stated that it was being presented to the Government. In the one report it was stated that it was being presented to the Department of Labour but I now understand that it is not. We are seeking to get a report. In the meantime we have a man on the job examining the situation. He is in touch with the people immediately concerned. He is from our London Embassy and we are getting daily reports on the situation.
In order to allay a lot of anxiety about this, would the Minister say whether the statement appears to be true or untrue so far? His man on the spot should be able to tell him that in half an hour.
I will not answer that question until I am certain that what I am saying about it is correct.
The Minister will not take any chances in the future.
There are such things as exaggerated reports and the statements might not all be correct. If there is anything we can do to eliminate any of the evils mentioned in the report we will take all possible steps to do it.
The Minister will be a little more cautious after the unemployment issue.
Tatie hoking, as I knew it, was a family matter. The father and mother and the older members of the family went and there was parental control. There was never any question of people being imprisoned or subjected to the type of things suggested in this article. This is completely new information to me.
I could not understand why they would go back.
When the Minister receives the report from the Irish Embassy and from the investigator is he prepared to make a further statement about it in view of the anxiety it is causing?
I suggest that the Deputy should repeat the question at a later stage so that I can make a statement.
I will repeat the question on Thursday week.
Will the Minister assure the House that when he is making these investigations he will also consult with the Department of Education? To my knowledge boys and girls between 12 and 18 years of age are going over to these potato fields. Surely it is easy by checking the attendance books to find out their absence from schools not only in Donegal but in Mayo and Kerry? I have a more detailed report on this matter than the Minister seems to have at the moment. I am more interested in the younger people, the boys and girls of 14 years——
We cannot debate this question all evening.
I want an assurance from the Minister that he will consult with the Department of Education on this matter.
I have already called Question No. 17.
Will the Minister give an assurance that there will be consultation between the Department of Education and the Department of Labour on this burning question?
The Deputy is well aware that every member of the Government would be interested.
Every member of the Government is not interested.