asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he was asked to investigate the insurance of a person (name supplied) in County Donegal who was working in Scotland; if so, what action he took; and the result of any investigations made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Worker's Insurance.
21.
The person referred to in the question died on 8th September, 1969. On the investigation of his wife's claim for a widow's pension the social welfare officer wrote to the British Department of Health and Social Security requesting particulars of the deceased's insurance record. The British authorities replied to the effect that they were unable to trace an insurance record to refer. The social welfare officer then wrote to the police authorities in Scotland and obtained further particulars of the deceased's employment which he passed on to the British Department with a request that action be taken to secure payment of any contributions due.
On 17th May, 1971, a complaint was received from the father of the person referred to in the question to the effect that his son had worked in Scotland for six years and no employment contributions had been paid in respect of him. As any contributions payable would be British contributions the writer was advised to send full particulars to the British Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Is the Minister not aware that the employer in question happened, unfortunately, to be Irish? Surely the Minister has the power to take the appropriate disciplinary action against these people who are Irish employers and who have disgraced the name of Irishmen. The Minister knows it well.
Question No. 22. Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
I want an answer to my question.
If the Deputy had listened to my reply he would have learned that my Department took all the action open to them, and all the action that they could possibly take, even to the extent of asking the British authorities to pursue the matter in accordance with their legislation. Beyond that we have no further power. If somebody from this country is a boss in another country and employing people there, we cannot prosecute him here. He is outside our jurisdiction and the Deputy knows that.
Question No. 22. Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
Is it not a fact that these people were employed in Ireland and that they were hijacked across to slave in these fields and sleep in dirty, filthy haysheds? The Minister did absolutely nothing about it. Surely there must be some way of bringing to book these people who have been treating their Irish employees so badly.
Question No. 22. Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
May I ask the Minister when does he propose to introduce legislation to control the abuse of Irish workers who go to Scotland?
That is a separate question.
I know, but it is a relevant question.
It does not arise on this question.
The Minister might like to reply to it.
The Minister would not be in order. Question No. 22. Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
The Ceann Comhairle knows conditions in Donegal.
It may be possible to do something more by way of legislation than is being done, but the Employment Agency Bill will have some effect on this matter, I hope. I could not promise, nor could any Deputy foresee, that it will eradicate these abuses. It will still be open to persons to go for employment anywhere of their own accord and, unless we take absolute control of the movement of people, I do not see how we could eradicate these abuses completely.
Does the Minister propose to introduce legislation before the summer recess?
The Employment Agency Bill has been passed by the Seanad.
It has to come back to the Dáil.
Question No. 22. Deputy Dr. FitzGerald.
Is the Minister aware that these people were misled by the advertisements that appeared in provincial newspapers? They were confiscated and hijacked and brought over because of misleading advertisements in the provincial newspapers.
The Deputy has already said that.
With all due respect, I cannot say it often enough because I want to rectify a social injustice perpetrated by Irishmen on unfortunate Irish people and the Minister is very much less co-operative than he should be.
Question No. 22. Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
Is it in order for me to thank you for your many references to me in the past five minutes?