asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention was directed to the circular letter recently addressed to Deputies by the Parliamentary Secretary on the subject of personal representations to and interviews with officials of his Department concerning the determination of claims to old age pensions; whether he is aware that this practice was reintroduced, after a brief previous suspension, on the formation of the Government in 1932; and, if so, whether he will state further the grounds on which it is now again discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions Claims.
The Minister prescribed the procedure now in operation regulating the making of representations to officials of his Department by Deputies and Senators in regard to old age pensions appeals. This procedure does not suspend or prohibit personal representations by Deputies or Senators, but ensures that such representations will be dealt with in a way which will not prejudice the interests of appellants as a whole. The grounds on which the practice hitherto in force has been discontinued are briefly that it led to delay in dealing with appeals generally and that those appeals in which members of the Oireachtas were interested were dealt with out of their chronological order. The practice thus led to undue delay, and consequent injustice, where other appellants were concerned.
Does not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that substantially the same reasons were given by a previous Administration for the introduction of a practice which now, apparently, has the benediction of the present Government? Does he not know that his own Government in 1932 realised that there was no substantial foundation for the action taken by the previous Administration? Bearing in mind the fact that Deputies are public representatives with responsibilities to the people, will he not reconsider the matter with a view to ensuring that public representatives—there is a very limited number of them in this country and in this House—should have the right of audience with the deciding officers? The question as to when the appeal, which is the subject of that representation, is decided can, of course, be a matter quite outside the ambit of the procedure for regulating interviews.
I have nothing to add to the reply, but I think that, if the Deputy will read very carefully the notice issued to Deputies and Senators, he will see that there were good reasons for making the change in the procedure. It is proposed to leave the procedure as it is at the moment and to watch events.
May I say that I am not one of those who abused the privileges of that office? But does not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that this circular, which was issued with the authority of the Minister over the Parliamentary Secretary's signature, is more like a code regulating the conduct of recalcitrant children in a penitentiary than one for governing the conduct of Deputies in their representations to a public Department?
The cap must fit the Deputy.
You were chastised the other day, so keep quiet. Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's refusal to answer, may I, Sir, with your permission, raise this matter on the Adjournment on the next day that the Dáil sits after the Easter Recess?
I cannot promise that. That may be possible, if no other matter arises on that day.
I would ask for permission to raise it to-day only that I understand there is a question on the Adjournment to-night.
I did not know that.
I think the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs is on trial to-night.
I will give place.
No wonder you would.