asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received representations from the Leitrim County Council drawing attention to the inadequacy of the weekly rate of wages paid to road workers on the National Road at Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and whether he will recommend an increase in the rate of wages paid to these men.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scheme was based on the rate of wages in operation at the time the grant was notified, and I am not prepared to make the recommendation suggested.

Does the Minister consider 24/- an adequate wage for a labouring man?

I have nothing to do with it.

Is it not the Department that fixes the wages.

I have nothing to do with this matter.

Am I not entitled to an answer?

Is it a fact that the Department have withdrawn the restrictions which they placed on county councils some years ago with regard to maximum wages?

In regard to further grants under the Road Scheme, the Department have withdrawn the restrictions they placed on these grants.

Are the county councils then in a position to grant an increase in wages?

The county councils are the people to fix the wages to be paid to road workers.

There will not be any interference with the county councils by the Department?

The county councils are the people who fix the road workers' wages and if a question arises in which interference comes about, a discussion can arise on that interference, but it is entirely a problematical thing now.

There is no maximum wage laid down by the Department at present or for the last four months?

No.

As long as interference is not made obvious and proof is not forthcoming, we are to have no information with regard to it?

I do not understand the Deputy.