asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether with reference to his statement at a meeting of the Labour Party at Droichead Nua on April 25th, concerning the membership card of a political organisation being the only title deed to employment in semi-State organisations, he will state (1) the names of the organisations to which he was referring; and (2) his reasons for asserting that membership of a political organisation was, at any time, a condition for employment with those organisations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Statement.
The statement referred to by the Deputy was an indication that the Government did not stand for a policy whereby preference in the matter of employment was given to persons on the basis of their political affiliations, and that every person, irrespective of his or her political view, should have equal opportunities of obtaining employment. I am satisfied from complaints which have reached me over a long period of years that political affiliations played an undesirable part in the selection of persons for employment in the past, and my remarks at the meeting referred to by the Deputy were an intimation to persons responsible for the recruitment of staff that the Government would not countenance a continuance of this loathsome practice.
I should like the Minister to answer the question which I addressed to him. I want him to state the names of the organisations, the semi-State organisations, to which he referred and in connection with which it was alleged that membership of a political organisation was the title deed to employment.
The Deputy, as a Minister, set up most of these semi-State organisations. He was responsible for the administration of many of them and he ought to have some idea as to what was happening in relation to some of them.
Am I to understand that the Minister is alleging that in any of the semi-State organisations for the establishment of which I was responsible, political considerations governed the employment of workers?
Is the Minister aware that Deputy Lemass is only preparing the way for an Adjournment debate on this question?
If that is so, then I invite him to have such a debate.
Am I to interpret the Minister's remark as meaning that, in his view, political considerations entered into the selection of workers employed by the semi-State organisations for the establishment of which I was responsible?
Someone has a guilty conscience.
If the Minister and some of his colleagues would subject themselves to a little introspection, they will form some idea of what they did with regard to political jobs over the past 16 years.
In default of an answer to my question by the Tánaiste, would the Taoiseach be prepared to establish a judicial inquiry into the allegations made by the Tánaiste?
And his other Ministers.
Can I get an answer to that question?
There is no answer to it.
I would welcome it.
On a point of order. I have been accused by the Minister for Local Government of being an authority on this nefarious practice.
What nefarious practice?
The practice that has been discussed by the Tánaiste and Deputy Lemass.
To-day?
Just now, and also by the Minister for Agriculture.
Very properly described.
Is it in order for a Minister or a Deputy to make such an accusation against another member of this House without bringing forth proof?
I have not heard it and it should be substantiated.
Do either of the Ministers deny it? There is no answer to that. They ought to have the courage of their convictions.
They have the courage of their convictions.
People judge others by themselves. He was not a Minister at that time.