asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the recent resolution on the industrial treatment of alcoholism adopted at the annual conference of ICTU; and whether he is prepared to enter into early consultations with the trade union and employer organisations to initiate such a programme.

I have seen newspaper reports of the resolution referred to which calls on the ICTU Executive to enter into early negotiations with the Federated Union of Employers with a view to establishing agreed principles or procedures in the treatment of workers who become alcoholics. The resolution did not call for my intervention in any such negotiations.

I might add that I welcome this initiative and I am sure the parties are aware that if there is any way in which I can help, I shall be happy to do so if called upon.