asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received representations from the National Health Insurance Agents Association about the inadequacy of pay of their members; and, if so, if he will give favourable consideration to the appeal for more pay as these agents are the most lowly-paid servants of the State.

The Association of Unestablished Local Agents has submitted a claim for increased pay under the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service. This claim was the subject of a hearing at the Departmental Council in June, 1960. Discussion of the claim was adjourned by agreement, however, to enable a detailed claim on behalf of the Agents to be formulated and submitted by the Staff Side; this detailed claim has not yet been submitted to the Department.

When the Minister does procure this detailed statement perhaps he would also consider the question of travelling expenses?

When that comes about, maybe the Deputy would put down a question.

It would save me doing that if the Parliamentary Secretary would now say he would consider it.