asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received complaints concerning the manner in which appointments are made to positions as clerical officers and staff officers in the service of the Dublin County Council, and, if so, whether in view of the uneasiness which exists among clerical employees of the council in relation to recent appointments, he will state what considerations resulted in the filling of such posts by employees with much less service than that of other applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Dublin County Council Appointments.
I did receive a complaint in regard to the appointments made to the post of staff officer, but no formal appeal has been made to me by any aggrieved officer.
From inquiries made I understand that the appointments made to the permanent posts of clerical officer and to the posts of staff officer were made by the county commissioner on the recommendation of a selection board.
In view of the fact that dissatisfaction exists amongst the employees of the county council, because it is evident that some of these appointments were made without reference to the service of the officers concerned, will the Minister inquire into this matter in greater detail?
Mr. Murphy
I have no objection to making further inquiries on the lines suggested by the Deputy, but I think he will appreciate my limitations in this matter and the very limited functions I have, having regard to the manner in which the appointments were made. However, I shall have any inquiries that may be necessary, along the lines suggested, made.
May I ask if the Minister has received an application to see a deputation representing the officials; and, if so, will he meet the deputation?
Mr. Murphy
I have received representations suggesting that I should meet a deputation. So far as I know, no particular business was suggested at that meeting. I think, in any event, that that is a matter that will have to be otherwise dealt with, in the first instance, though it may be necessary to meet the deputation on a particular matter at a later stage. I have no objection to that. I have made certain communications to the persons from whom I received the request and suggested the course of action they may take. I shall probably hear from them further on the matter.
Will the Minister give us a description of the selection board and will he inform the House by whom the board was appointed?
Mr. Murphy
If there is no objection, I am prepared to do so. The particulars involve the names of certain very responsible people. If the Ceann Comhairle permits me, I shall give the information.
I shall have to leave that to the discretion of the Minister.
Mr. Murphy
I am prepared to give it publicly in the House or communicate it privately to the Deputy. If he asks for those names in the House, the particulars are as follows——
Better give them privately.
No, Sir; there is a little bit more than that in it. The suggestion underlying this matter is that the commissioner has acted improperly. For the commissioner's protection, the names of the selection board ought to be given.
If the Minister so desires.
Has it ever been done before?
I do not know the nature of this selection board, but the commissioner might be reluctant to give names. Was this board set up by the commissioner?
Yes, by the commissioner.
Mr. Murphy
The matter arose from a large-scale reorganisation of the clerical staff of the Dublin County Council, which reorganisation was approved by the Department in September, 1947. Following this a board consisting of Mr. Moylan, former Assistant Secretary of the Local Government Department, Mr. Kavanagh, Deputy City Treasurer, Dublin Corporation, and Mr. O'Keeffe, Secretary of the Dublin County Council, interviewed (a) the temporary clerks then in the employment of the council who sought permanent employment; and (b) the permanent clerical officers of the county council who sought promotion to three vacant posts of staff officers. As a result five temporary clerks were given permanent appointments. The remaining clerical officer vacancy is being filled by local competition and the vacancies of staff officers were filled by the appointment of the first three or four persons declared by the interview board to be qualified.