asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he made a promise to have re-employed, according as vacancies arose, the men unemployed as a result of the strike at Tuam beet factory: and, if so, to what extent the promise has been implemented.

The Deputy is under a misapprehension. I was not in a position to give any promise in regard to the re-employment of men after the strike at the Tuam beet factory. At the time the sugar company were prepared to reinstate some of the strikers and I am informed that they did so.

In view of the fact that a number of families of the men who went on strike and who are still unemployed have suffered great hardship, will the Minister use his good offices to see that they will be re-employed whenever employment becomes available for them?

I prefer whatever representations may be considered desirable in this respect should be made directly to the company.