asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware of substantial differences in rates of pay paid to public service manual grade workers in the Dublin metropolitan area and other parts of the country; if he has any plans to bring other workers up to the Dublin levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware that differing rates of pay apply to manual workers employed in different parts of the public service. The variations in question are the result of the operations of the process of free collective bargaining over the years and in many cases are due to adjudication findings.

The Deputy may be aware that, in one case, a Labour Court recommendation on the pay of the workers concerned is awaited. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment.

I should, however, make it clear that the pay of many of the workers referred to in the question is the responsibility of Ministers other than myself, e.g. Ministers for the Environment, Health, Education, Agriculture.

Is there anything in front of the Minister or has he any proposals to level up pay in cases where workers are doing the same job but are paid different rates by local authorities.

I tried to make it clear in my reply that pay determinations for the workers concerned are on the basis of free collective bargaining and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to intervene. I suspect that some of the categories to which he may be referring fall within the responsibility of some of my colleagues.