asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether any conclusion was reached as a result of the inquiry held by the Department Inspector into the case of the assistant county surveyor, County Meath, who was suspended over nine months ago by the Meath County Council on the report of the county surveyor; and, if so, if he will state what were the findings of the inquiry and why were they not transmitted to the county council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Assistant County Surveyor's Position.
The conclusion reached in this case was that, while the officer had been unsatisfactory as to the manner in which the duties of his office were performed, there was not disclosed such a dereliction of duty as would warrant so severe a penalty as dismissal and forfeiture of pension rights.
This was also apparently the view of the county council themselves, as although they suspended him they decided recently to rescind their resolution. No salary was paid or will be paid to him in respect of the period during which he was suspended.
When a local authority suspends an officer under the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926, the suspension can only be confirmed or removed by the Minister and before the Minister comes to a decision he has to investigate the subject matter of the suspension. The investigation is not necessarily or usually a public one and is merely to enable the Minister to decide the question. The investigation in such cases is directed to ascertain the facts of the case and these are already in possession of the county council.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact that the county council had to wait ten months before receiving a report of any kind; is he aware that an inquiry was held by his Department; is he aware that in the interest of the assistant county surveyor himself as well as in the interest of the county council it was not fair that the result of the inquiry should not be communicated until after the lapse of such a long period?