asked the Minister for Lands whether a non-national has been appointed to the important position of director of forestry; whether he will state if applications for this position were received from nationals of the Saorstát and indicate the considerations that caused the giving of the appointment to a non-national; whether he will state the qualifications for the position possessed by the person appointed and the terms of his appointment in regard to salary, allowances, and conditions of service; and further if he will state whether the person appointed was absorbed into the Civil Service and indicate the procedure followed in the making of the appointment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Forestry Director.
A German national has been appointed to the post of director of forestry. Applications for the post were received from Saorstát nationals. Having regard to the considerable expansion proposed in the work of the forestry division and the consequent importance of the post, it was necessary to secure the services of an officer having the highest qualifications in forestry science, together with experience of administration. Applications were accordingly invited by advertisement and through the usual diplomatic channels from Europe, the U.S.A., and Great Britain. Applications were received from highly competent men in most of these countries. These applications were reviewed by a selection board appointed by the Minister for Lands for the purpose, and the post having been scheduled under Section 10 (2) of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1923, the appointment was made by the Minister on the recommendation of the selection board.
The candidate who was appointed has excellent technical qualifications and has had considerable practical experience of forestry operations on a large scale and of forestry administration. He has also an extensive knowledge of the timber trade and has studied forestry conditions in a number of countries.
The appointment which is at present on a temporary basis for a period of one year is non-pensionable and carries a salary of £1,300 per annum, inclusive, with the usual Civil Service travelling expenses and rates of subsistence allowance.
Arising out of the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary, can he say if the person appointed has a speaking knowledge of Irish?
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state what is the nationality of this director?
The Deputy was told that in the reply.
Is he a German? I am surprised that we have not an Irishman.