asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the inadequate wage paid to forestry workers in County Wicklow, he will grant an immediate increase in this wage.

Forestry workers are paid the same wage rate as county council road workers in the county in which the forest lies. Workers in County Wicklow forests are accordingly paid the wage rate appropriate to road workers in that county. Any alteration in the road workers' wage rate will be applied to the forestry workers.

Is the Minister aware that the county council have already recommended to the Minister for Local Government an increase of 4/3 a week?

I am.