asked the Minister for Labour if the recent increase in the salary of managers and of pro-managers or assistant bank managers comes within the terms of the National Wage Agreement.

I have not yet the final detailed settlement arrived at bebetween the banks and the Irish Bank Officials' Association. I understand that the staff concerned, as part of the settlement, have agreed to commence negotiations leading to a productivity agreement which is to be concluded before the end of the year.

Is the Minister kept informed of the negotiations?

I am aware of the matters relative to these negotiations. As the Deputy is aware, the negotiations have to do with later productivity arrangements which have yet to be entered into.

Would the Minister not think that by the time he has properly examined the implications of the agreement the actual increases may already have been paid?

I am satisfied on the information available to me so far that, taken in conjunction with the later productivity proposal, this is within the trend of the national agreement.