asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will state the reason why Mr. James Tarmey, Carraroe, Williamstown, was dismissed without notice from the position of temporary postman in Williamstown Sub-Post Office and a Mr. Thomas Connaughton engaged to replace him; also, if he will state the service (if any) given by both in the emergency forces and what other means of livelihood both men have.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dismissal of Postman.
Mr. Tarmey was not dismissed. He has been employed as a substitute from time to time at Williamstown Post Office, to cover annual leave of regular postmen. First preference is given to men nominated by the labour exchange. On the last occasion when substitution work arose Mr. Tarmey was not registered and the only available registered man was Mr. Connaughton, who was consequently employed.
Mr. Tarmey was a member of the Local Defence Force, but Mr. Connaughton did not serve in the emergency services. Both men reside on small farms and both appear to be reasonably in comfortable circumstances.
Will the Minister say if this man was in any way unsatisfactory? He was acting in a temporary capacity but he was almost semi-permanently employed and I do not think that anyone should expect him to keep on at the labour exchange while he was in temporary employment.
He was advised to register but at this particular time he was not registered and they had to accept this other man. He will, however, be employed again in August as he has registered since.
This whole question has been most unsatisfactory. I am quite satisfied, of course, that the Minister has been walked into something.
Will the Deputy pass on to a supplementary question?
I had intended to raise this question on the adjournment because I was quite satisfied that there was political intrigue in it but since I have got a guarantee that he will be employed in the future——
Deputies
Raise it.
I could raise it.
Deputies
Do.
Yes and a lot of other things may be raised later on.