asked the Minister for Labour if he will state the number of inspections which were conducted during the past eight months in respect of the statutory minimum remuneration and statutory conditions of employment prescribed in the schedule of the Hotels Joint Labour Committee.

The answer is 461.

92.

asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied that all hotels within the State display and adhere to the schedule in respect of the statutory minimum remuneration and statutory conditions of employment prescribed by the Hotels Joint Labour Committee.

The Employment Regulation Order to which the question relates came into operation in January last and provides for minimum rates of pay and other conditions of employment for certain workers in hotels outside the County Boroughs of Dublin and Cork and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.

Where it was found on inspection that the required notice was not on display, the attention of the employer was drawn to his statutory obligation. Where the inspector found that the correct wages were not being paid steps were taken to have the arrears recovered for the workers.

Could the Minister say if there were many instances in which the regulations were not adhered to and if any prosecutions were taken?

The method of working is to make people aware in the first instance of the order. The inspectors do that. There were no prosecutions The object of the first visit is to get co-operation.

Were there many cases in which the regulations were not being adhered to?

As far as I remember, there were not many. In some cases they had lost the notice. In some they were not aware of their duty. It was pointed out to them that they had to display this notice. The amount of money involved was about £320, which was recovered for the people concerned.

Is the Minister now satisfied that these notices are displayed?

We have not had a re-check to make sure, but I hope there will be a re-check at an early date.