asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has sanctioned the appointment of an advisory council to assist the Commissioner now administering the affairs of the Offaly County Council; whether the individuals who are members of this council claim to represent organised bodies of ratepayers in the county; and, if so, if he will state the names of such organisations and their numerical strength, and if he can state the procedure adopted by the Commissioner in selecting this advisory council, and also the functions and powers, if any, of the council.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OFFALY ADVISORY COUNCIL.
I have no information as to the parties from whom the Commissioner administering the affairs of Offaly County Council receives advice locally, but having regard to the general satisfaction which has been expressed he appears to use all advice tendered to him with judgment and discrimination.
Does the Minister mean to say that he is not responsible for the action of the Commissioner? Is he an entirely irresponsible official?
I think the word "irresponsible" is very unfair when used in this connection.
Does the Minister deny that it is his business to sanction matters of this kind which concerns the policy of the Commissioner who, it is assumed, is responsible to the Minister himself?
I am exactly in the same relation to the Commissioner as I was to the local body he superseded.
Has the Minister taken any steps to ascertain the information asked for in the question?
Will the Minister say is the Commissioner in exactly the same position to the constituency he supervises as the local body was?
Oh, no, I did not say that.
So the Commissioner is in the air—not responsible either to the constituency or to the Minister?