asked the Minister for Education if he will state whether a vacancy for an inspector under the Irish MSS. Commission was filled following the creation of the post of genealogical officer; whether the position of permanent inspector was advertised; and, if so, in what manner and in what newspapers or periodicals, and what were the prescribed conditions of appointment, and whether any and how many applications were received; further, whether he will state if a temporary appointment has been made; and, if so, under what conditions of service; whether before making the temporary appointment the post was advertised, and, if so, in what manner and in what newspapers and periodicals; whether the person appointed is a graduate of an Irish university, whether he has a competent knowledge of Irish; whether he will further state the academic honours obtained by the person appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish MSS. Commission Inspector.
When the person who had been employed by the Irish MSS. Commission to inspect and report on the contents of manuscripts and other documents in local and family collections was appointed to the post of genealogical officer another person was employed by the commission to discharge the duties in question. There is no post of permanent inspector under this commission, and, therefore, the parts of the question referring to such a post do not arise. The person at present engaged on the duties mentioned is employed on a temporary basis, and the conditions of service are that he should discharge, to the satisfaction of the commission, the duties entrusted to him. The commission did not consider it necessary to advertise the vacancy as they were satisfied that the person whom they proposed to employ possessed special experience and qualifications for the duties to be discharged and that no other person with the necessary experience or qualifications was available. He is an M.A. of Cambridge University, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and he had been general editor for several years of the publications of the British Record Society. As far as I am aware he is not a graduate of an Irish university and he has not a competent knowledge of the Irish language. As I have explained, the employment is a temporary one for duties of a special kind, and is not governed by Civil Service regulations.