asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the workers engaged on the trunk roads in County Carlow are on strike against the wage of 28/- per week, and whether he intends to take any steps to have the wage increased.

I understand that there is a general strike of road workers in County Carlow due to a reduction in wages decided upon by the County Council. The matter is one for the County Council to deal with.

In the case of trunk-road workers, is it a matter for the County Council?

Not altogether.

Who fixes the wage for those workers? Is it the County Council, the Minister for Local Government or the Minister for Finance? As a matter of fact, who makes it a condition that 28 shillings a week is the rate of wages?

In the case of a trunk road it is the Roads Advisory Committee.

Is the Minister aware that at a recent meeting of the County Council in Carlow, supervising officials, on being questioned as to why those men taken on instead of permanent men, were not able to give a better output, said they were not able, owing to not getting sufficient food on 28 shillings a week.

When was the Advisory Board set up, and what is it?

It is an inter-Departmental Committee which has been in existence for twelve months.

Does the Minister say that it was the duty of this Committee to deal with maximum and not with minimum rates? Is it the duty of this Committee to see that the maximum rate for road work will not exceed 28 shillings a week, and are they worrying at all if the rate is reduced to ten shillings?

To what Department is that board, or committee, responsible?

It is an inter-departmental committee.

Surely some Minister is responsible for its actions? Is it the Minister for Local Government or the Minister for Finance?

I believe it is the Minister for Industry and Commerce.