asked the Minister for Justice whether he has approved the appointment by the County Registrar of Monaghan of Mr. McCarville as clerk for the revision of the register in County Monaghan and, if so, whether he is aware that this man acted as agent for the Fianna Fáil Party at the last general election.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clerk to County Registrar, Monaghan.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, does he think it proper that a person engaged in the controversial occupation of election agent, or parliamentary agent, in a recent general election should be chosen as the special clerk for the revision of the register for the next general election?
From what I have heard from the county registrar, I am quite satisfied that the man selected is a man of integrity and can be relied on to carry out his work quite honestly and straightforwardly.
Is the Minister aware that the appointment is just part of the corrupt political machine maintained by the Fianna Fáil organisation in County Monaghan?
I am not aware of anything of the kind.
Will the Minister inquire into that? Does the Minister really think that it is a suitable thing, when you have the people of the whole county, including many unemployed persons anxious for work, to select from, to choose the parliamentary agent of his own Party, a man who was already in receipt of a pension from public funds, and appoint him to this position, which would provide a livelihood for many an unemployed man in the County Monaghan anxious to earn a livelihood if given the opportunity?
It might have been pointed out by the Deputy that people who have been State Solicitors should not have been appointed because they were election agents for some particular candidates.
There is no analogy whatever. May I ask the Minister why he does not distinguish between a professional man acting as a parliamentary agent and a person in Mr. McCarville's position, a man who is a violent and controversial politician, acting on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party? No one has anything to say against him acting as that, but does the Minister think himself justified in approving the appointment of such a person? I have no reason to suspect that the man is not a respectable man, but with his political record, one has reason to ask why he should be selected for the purpose of checking over a register for a constituency in which I may be a candidate, or other persons opposed to the Government may be candidates. I say that it is the promotion of political corruption and it is a public scandal.
What about the returning officer?
What did the Minister say?
Deputy Dillon will develop another temperature if he does not mind himself.
I will cool your temper if you do not mind yourself.