asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a conference between officials of his Department and officials of the Hotel Workers' Union to deal with the wages and conditions of civilian chefs and waiters employed by his Department, which was to have taken place six weeks ago, has not yet been held, and that the officials of the union have been told that the proposed conference has been postponed indefinitely; and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.

The request for a conference as referred to in the question was made by the Hotel and Restaurant Branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union in a letter dated the 24the February, 1956, mainly for the purpose of discussing a decision to grant the chefs and waiters employed by my Department an increase of 12/6 per week in settlement of a claim made by the union. As this increase was not acceptable to the union I arranged to have the matter re-examined and at the same time I decided that no useful purpose would be served by holding the conference sought pending the outcome of the reexamination. The union was informed accordingly on the 9th April, 1956.

Arising out of the reply is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the answer given is a complete fabrication? The conference was arranged at the Minister's own suggestion in his own office in my presence. He told the union to write in for a conference. The matter of the 12/6 was not discussed at the meeting and has no bearing on this question. I submit, with respect, that the reply is a lie.

I cannot allow that remark to pass. The Deputy must withdraw the expression "a lie".

It is not in accordance with the facts as I know them because I was present at the interview.

I take it the Deputy withdraws the expression "a lie"?

It is not in accordance with the facts.

Will the Deputy withdraw the expression?

I withdraw it.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that an increase in wages of 12/6 a week, which was offered to civilian chefs and waiters and rejected on their behalf by the Hotel Workers' Union, was paid to the men concerned for the week ended 13th April, 1956, and, if so, if he will explain why this was allowed to happen.

The increase of 12/6 per week has not in fact been paid to the civilian chefs and waiters employed by my Department who are members of the Hotel and Restaurant Branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union.