asked the President if he will state (a) whether the appointment of the county medical officer of health for Meath was made on the recommendation of the Appointments Commission; (b) if so, was the recommendation made on the advice of a Selection Board; (c) if so, if he will state the names of the members of such Selection Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath County Medical Officer of Health.
The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the third part, the invariable practice has been to treat the personnel of Selection Board as confidential. It is in my opinion essential to the proper working of the system that this practice should be continued, and I do not propose to depart from it.
Arising out of the Vice-President's reply, might I ask further, whether in view of the criticism passed on this particular appointment, and the fact that the name of one of the members of the Selection Board has already been mentioned in this House, he does not think it fair that the names of the other members who share the responsibility and criticism placed upon them should be divulged?
I am not responsible for anyone's name being mentioned in this House. I had no idea until the name was mentioned who was on the Selection Board. I do not know who is on the Selection Boards. It has been the practice to keep the names confidential.
All the Minister knows is that they were influenced by political considerations when they were making the appointment.
I am satisfied the members of the Selection Board did their work conscientiously.
I give notice that I desire to raise this question on the adjournment.