asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider having payment made to agricultural officers for the eight days in which they did not use their cars but did work in the office, in view of the fact that there are 400 workers involved.

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No".

I am advised that I am debarred by law from paying remuneration to the officers concerned in respect of their unauthorised absence from duty and failure to carry out the duties assigned to them.

I should add that the number of agricultural officers involved was about 270 and that the majority were on unauthorised absence from duty for a period of 13 days.

This is very unfair of the Minister because those 200 men worked for a week. They did not use their cars because there was a dispute between their union and the Department. I think they should be paid their week's salary.

It was an unofficial dispute. They themselves decided to absent themselves and I am advised that I cannot pay them, whatever I might think about it.

I appeal to the Minister even at this stage to have them paid.

I shall not do something that I am told is illegal.

It would improve relations.

Surely it is not illegal for the Minister to pay those men for work which they did during that week? They did their office work; they did not use their cars.

I have stated the legal advice that I have been given and I have to act legally as long as I am in this position.