asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to sanction the payment of service pay to roadworkers employed by Cork County Council.

A proposal from Cork County Council to introduce a scheme of service pay for roadworkers is at present under consideration and a decision on it will be given as soon as possible.

Is the Minister aware that this particular matter has been negotiated between the trade unions concerned and the county council and that agreement has been reached? In view of the fact that this has taken a long period, will the Minister expedite this sanction as quickly as possible?

Yes. I am expecting similar proposals from other local authorities. This matter has not been very long in the Department and it will be dealt with as soon as possible. There are proposals from other county councils as well, and they have not all submitted the same scheme of service pay. There is a question as to whether a uniform scheme should be decided upon.

What does that matter when we have our own agreement made?

It is obviously desirable to try to get a uniform scheme if possible.