asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the rates of wages paid by county surveyors to turf cutters and other workers engaged in the winning and saving of turf in the several areas where these operations are being carried out, and whether any steps have been taken to secure the payment of uniform rates for similar operations throughout the country or in particular county areas.

The rates of wages paid by county surveyors to turf cutters and persons engaged in the winning and saving of turf vary in different counties but the information in the Department does not extend to the actual rates payable throughout the country. As regards the latter part of the question the reply is in the negative.

Is it not a fact that the Minister's Department has approved of certain rates of pay, piece-work rates, for turf-workers in County Donegal and that the Department has endeavoured to impose these conditions on the turf workers in County Kerry?

I do not know what we have imposed on the turf workers in Kerry.

Am I stating facts?

I do not think so.