asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the reasons for refusing to release from the Postal Service James McLoughlin, postman, attached to the General Post Office, Sligo; whether he is aware that in 1924 Mr. McLoughlin applied to be released on compensation under Article 10 of the Treaty; that on this occasion his services were retained for two years; that since the expiration of this period he has been endeavouring to get out of the Service, and that as the result of the attitude of his Department, he now contemplates instituting legal proceedings if not dealt with in accordance with his status as a Civil Servant; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances and to recent decisions given under Article 10 of the Treaty, it is the intention of the Minister to have the costs of these legal proceedings imposed on the taxpayers; and, if not, whether he will expedite matters in the general interests.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SLIGO POSTMAN'S POSITION.
The facts as to the application by Mr. McLoughlin to retire with compensation under Article 10 of the Treaty and his subsequent retention in the Service as stated in the question are correct. The delay in dealing with his application is due to the fact that pending a final decision on the legal questions which arose in the case of Wigg and Cochrane v. the Attorney-General, no machinery was set up to discharge the work previously performed by the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Wylie. The action to be taken following the conclusion of the recent legal proceedings, which involves a number of questions of far-reaching importance, is under consideration, and there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with Mr. McLoughlin's application.