asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a considerable number of employees have recently been dismissed from the service of the Great Southern Railways Company; that such dismissals include a number of shopmen who have rendered good service at the Inchicore and other works; that many of these men will find it difficult to find other employment because of their ages; that many of them have not received any pension or compensation for the loss of their employment, and whether he will make representations to the railway company with a view to the granting of pensions, or the making of ex-gratia grants to these men.

I understand that the Great Southern Railways Company have found it necessary to terminate the employment of a number of shopmen because their services were not required. There is no fund out of which pensions or grants are normally payable to shopmen, who are not usually parties to any railway superannuation scheme, but I am informed that in the present case the company intends to grant pensions to men who have had 25 or more years' service.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Deputy whether he is now prepared to repudiate the opinion which he expressed by his vote in this House on the 22nd October last?

And why he voted against the railway employees?

That is a separate question.