asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement in relation to all the circumstances surrounding the deportation of Irish building workers from Germany; and if he is satisfied with the result of his investigation in the matter.

60.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has investigated the case of certain building workers from this country who were deported from Germany; and if he will indicate the explanation given by the German Government for their action in regard to the workers concerned.

With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together. Forty workers in the construction industry were recruited in July-August last for work in Germany under private arrangements between an Irish firm and a Dutch national resident in Hamburg following an advertisement inserted in the Irish newspapers by the latter. Certain requirements regarding employment of foreign workers in Germany, viz., possession of a visa and work permit were not fulfilled and the workers found themselves illegally in the country. The Irish Consul-General in Hamburg, who was approached by some of the workers after their arrival, was in touch with the responsible German authorities, who indicated that in the circumstances action against the workers would be limited to deportation which the Consul-General was informed was the minimum action open to the authorities.