asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether the foreman in charge of civilian tradesmen and labourers employed by the Department of Defence at Bere Island has any power to employ men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment at Bere Island Defence Works.
The reply to the question is in the negative.
The Minister, in reply to my question, has said that the foreman has no power to employ men. Arising out of his reply, may I ask him if the military officer in charge at Bere Island has any such power?
If names are submitted to the military officer he has power either to accept them or reject them if not found suitable.
Would the Minister say from what date has that power been conferred on the military officer in charge?
If the military officer is satisfied that an individual sent forward is not suitable for a particular type of work, then he does not employ him.
May I direct the Minister's attention to the reply he gave me on the 7th November last when he said that:
"Arrangements for the appointment of suitable and reliable tradesmen and labourers are made by the Department of Defence",
and added, in reply to a supplementary question of mine:
"I am aware of the fact that the Department of Defence employs these people from lists that it has."
Has that position been changed in any way?
No, it has not.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether applications for employment in Bere Island, made to his Department, have been submitted to a Deputy of this House, and whether applicants not approved of by the Deputy in question, or the Bere Island branch of Fianna Fáil, have been refused employment.
The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state by whom the lists of suitable and reliable tradesmen and labourers are compiled for submission to the Department of Defence, and from which men are afterwards recruited for employment at Bere Island.
Lists of persons suitable for employment at the military post on Bere Island are compiled in my Department from recommendations which may be received from Deputies or other responsible persons. When vacancies occur these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate Army authorities who select the men best suited to their requirements.
Will the Minister say whether any person was employed in Bere Island on the recommendation of anybody except one Deputy of his own Party and friends of his in the political organisation which looks after employment in Bere Island at present?
Yes, numbers have been so employed on recommendations received from other people.
Will the Minister say whether several unemployed persons in Bere Island, having been told locally by the military officer and foreman that they had no power to employ anybody, and having made direct application to his Department, received replies to the effect that no vacancy existed in which they could be employed, and then found to their surprise three or four days later that nine, ten or 12 men were being recruited?
I am not aware of that.
Is the Minister prepared to institute a public inquiry, on oath, if necessary, into this matter, when I will be in a position to put forward a number of independent witnesses who will verify every statement I have made and who will elaborate these statements?
If the Deputy will give me any specific case, I shall have it dealt with.
Will the Minister agree to make the matter the subject of a public inquiry?
No, I do not think it necessary.
In view of the Minister's statement which I consider to be entirely unsatisfactory and in view of the importance of the matter, because I think that either the Minister is completely misinformed, or I am, I propose, with your concurrence, Sir, to raise the matter on the adjournment of the House to-night.
On question 30?
Questions 28, 29 and 30 because the whole matter is involved in these questions.
On matters arising directly out of these questions.