asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if an application was received by the Office of Public Works in March last from the employees of the Shannon Navigation for a bonus on their weekly wage of 34/6 for a six-day week; if so, whether the application has yet got consideration and whether this bonus will be granted and made retrospective.

An application on behalf of the Shannon Navigation employees for the grant of an emergency bonus is at present under consideration and a decision is expected to be given shortly.