asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received repeated requests since 1932 from or on behalf of ship inspectors, employed at Free State ports, for regular hours of work, reasonable rates of pay and payment for overtime, and if he can now state what action he has taken or proposes taking in this case.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply of the 4th May last to a similar question. The representations made by the ship inspectors in favour of improved rates of pay have been fully considered, but having regard to all the relevant circumstances, it is considered that the existing rates are adequate. The question of payment for overtime (apart from Sunday duty) is being further considered.