asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (1) the number of candidates for the postmastership of Dun Laoghaire, recently filled by the appointment of an officer from the headquarters office with no previous experience of postmaster's duties; (2) whether the successful candidate was the senior or best qualified candidate for the position, and, if so, in what respects his qualifications were superior to many other highly qualified officers of long service and experience, including postmasters, who were also candidates for the vacant position; (3) whether, in accordance with the usual procedure, the successful candidate was recommended by the permanent head of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs as the best qualified and most suitable candidate for the position in question; (4) whether it was necessary to furnish a certificate to the Department of Finance that no postmaster or other officer normally eligible for promotion to the postmastership of Dun Laoghaire was qualified for the post and that the officer appointed was the only officer qualified for it, and whether such a certificate was actually supplied to the Department of Finance; (5) if he is aware that this and certain other promotions made in his Department during the past two years have aroused deep dissatisfaction and discontent amongst deserving officers of long service whose legitimate claims to promotion have been overlooked, and if he will consider the setting up of a promotion board of the kind in operation in the British Post Office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dun Laoghaire Postmastership.
There were 42 candidates for the vacant post. The officer selected, who had 30 years' established service, was the best qualified candidate taking into account the general qualifications necessary for the position. Reports were made by the permanent head of the Department respecting each candidate. These reports are, of course, confidential. The answers to the remaining portions of the question are in the negative.