andMr. Rogers asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that 16 employees of Córas Iompair Éireann at Ballinamore, County Leitrim, have either had their employment terminated or have been transferred to other centres, with great resultant hardship to themselves and their families; and, if so, if he will make representations to Córas Iompair Éireann to re-employ these men at the depot at Ballinamore, County Leitrim.

I am informed by Córas Iompair Éireann that, as a result of a falling off in traffic on the Cavan-Leitrim section of the undertaking, 12 employees have been transferred elsewhere, and four temporary staff have been paid off.

The statutory position is that the conditions of employment of the transport employees of the board are regulated by agreements made between Córas Iompair Éireann and the trade unions concerned. I have no function in this matter and any representations which the Deputies may wish to make should be addressed to Córas Iompair Éireann.

Is the Minister aware that his predecessor gave an undertaking, when the final stage of the nationalisation scheme in respect of Córas Iompair Éireann was going through, that there would be no dismissals arising out of redundancy or any circumstances such as those referred to in the question?

I am not so aware. The statutory obligations of Córas Iompair Éireann are those which are set out in the Act.

Is the Minister aware of the undertaking given by his predecessor?

Why did he not put it in the Act?