asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why John Clerkin was dismissed from his post as temporary postman at Cortubber, County Monaghan, and John Duffy appointed in his place; and whether he is satisfied that John Duffy fulfils the conditions attaching to this appointment, in respect of health, and knowledge of Irish.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Postman's Appointment.
When a part-time postman vacancy arose some months ago at Cortubber, John Clerkin, a single man of 23 years of age, was employed temporarily pending recruitment through the local employment exchange. The only candidate nominated by the exchange was John Duffy, a married man with five young children, and he was, accordingly, employed in place of Mr. Clerkin. Mr. Duffy's health has been satisfactory since the commencement of his employment. There is no medical examination for temporary postmen, but as he was a road worker with no unfavourable report as to his health, the question did not arise.
As Cortubber is not scheduled as an Irish-speaking or even partly Irish-speaking district, a knowledge of Irish is not an essential qualification for employment in that office.
Is the Minister aware that the application form prescribed for applicants for this office stipulated that the two requirements were good health and a knowledge of Irish? Is he further aware that Mr. Clerkin, who was dismissed, has no other income, whereas Mr. Duffy lives in a house where there is coming in 12/6 to his grandfather, 12/6 to his grandmother, £2 to himself, national health insurance of 9/- to his wife, family allowances of 10/-, two sons on direct labour, £4 2s. 0d., making £8 6s. 0d. altogether? More important than all that, is he aware that Mr. Duffy is a son of the chairman of the Fianna Fáil cumann? Is not that astonishing?
That was his qualification.
Mr. Clerkin is a son of the sub-postmaster, a single man, 23 years of age.
If he joins the cumann, he may expect better treatment.
A Deputy
The Deputy can give Fianna Fáil as much advertisement as he likes.
I shall get on to the labourers in the Board of Works very shortly.
The effect of these interruptions and interjections is cumulative and I shall have to take serious notice of them. We have had seven interruptions from the Deputy already. There are over 100 Deputies in the House and if each Deputy were to interrupt the business on seven occasions, one after another, I wonder when questions would be finished?
They are all good-humoured objections.
This is not a place for amusement.
May I say that my last interruption was directed to an observation by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance?
What is happening now?
I am entitled to submit an explanation to the House.