Deputy Davin has tabled the following Private Notice Question: To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that night shift workers at Clonsast turf camp have taken strike action in protest against the inadequate wage rates being paid by Bord na Móna, and if further, in view of the critical fuel situation, he will take steps to have the grievances of these workers remedied.

It has only been brought to my notice to-day that workers at Clonsast have taken strike action. I presume the normal procedure of negotiation will be followed by Bord na Móna and the men or their representatives and I do not propose to intervene.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that negotiations have already taken place, and that the directors of Bord na Móna made the ridiculous and provocative offer of a further increase of 4/- per week, provided the men would subscribe an additional 5/- for their upkeep in the hostels which is an Irishman's rise?

As the Deputy no doubt is aware, the fixation of rates of wages is a matter for negotiation between Bord na Móna and the trade unions concerned. I have no function in the matter. I suggest to the Deputy that the matter should be taken up between the trade unions concerned and Bord na Móna.

As I am not satisfied with the reply, I should like, with the permission of the Chair, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

As I have said, I have no function in the matter.

I have already received notice of three matters, and the Parliamentary Secretary says that he has no function in this.

On the question of function, is it not a fact that the moneys provided for the work at Clonsast and other works under the auspices of Bord na Móna are on the Minister's Estimate?

The capital moneys are provided by the Exchequer to Bord na Móna, but it is expected that turf will be sold at an economic price, which includes the wages content.