asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (1) how many candidates there were for the vacant postmasterships of Limerick, Drogheda and Cobh; (2) what process of selection was adopted; (3) whether the claims of senior postmasters nominated and recommended by the permanent head of the Department were ignored, and, if so, for what reasons, and (4) if the selected candidate in each case was the best qualified and most suitable for the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Selection of Postmasters for Limerick, Drogheda and Cobh.
Mr. Boland
For the recent vacant postmasterships of Limerick, Drogheda and Cobh there were, respectively, 18, 31 and 45 candidates. The customary Civil Service procedure was adopted in connection with these promotions. The authorised procedure in these cases is that the files sent to the Minister contain reports upon the service and qualifications of every applicant, and the promotion is made by the Minister after considering these reports. I am satisfied that the selected candidate in each case was the best qualified and most suitable for the position.