asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware (i) that Mr. Thomas Horgan, I Mardyke Place, Cork, was employed through the Cork Employment Exchange as a builder's labourer for work at the Cork Department of the Commissioners of Public Works for the period from the 12th April, 1948, to the 7th May, 1948, and re-employed from 2nd July, 1948, to 30th October, 1948, when he was informed that his services were no longer required and that he was replaced by a man nominated by the Minister for Defence; and (ii) that Mr. Horgan is a married man with a wife and three children who, in 1940, offered his services to the Army but was rejected for varicose veins, and then joined the L.D.F. and continued to serve in that force during the whole period of the emergency; and, if so, whether he will take action to remedy this injustice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dismissal of Cork Labourer.
Mr. Thomas Horgan was employed through the contractors to the Commissioners for Public Works for the two periods stated in the question— firstly, with other men for extra work in the district, and, secondly, during the absence of a regular man. These engagements were purely temporary and gave no claim to continued employment. When a quasi-permanent vacancy arose, it was filled, not—as implied in the question—on the nomination of the Minister for Defence, but in accordance with the preferences for ex-members of the Defence Forces as laid down by the previous Government and confirmed by the present administration.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I have correspondence here, including a letter from the Minister for Defence to a prominent member of Fine Gael in Cork admitting that he made representations on behalf of the man that was employed and stating that he did not expect that anyone would be sacked to make way for him?
Might I be allowed to say——
On a point of order, this question has been addressed to the Minister for Finance. Is the Minister for Defence in order in endeavouring to intervene?
Is the Minister for Defence not entitled to put a supplementary question to the Parliamentary Secretary?
That is a new one.
It would be rather unusual if a Minister were to put a question to another Minister.
Is the Minister for Defence not entitled to make a personal explanation?
Yes.
I object.
I have got a ruling from the Chair.
As soon as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance has answered the supplentary question, I shall hear the Minister for Defence.
But we are now, Sir——
On a point of explanation, I shall hear the Minister for Defence.
A suggestion has been made——
I do not know what the question is.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I myself have seen a letter written by the Minister for Defence stating that he had made representations in this case, and that if he had been aware that these representations would have resulted in the dismissal of a married man with children he would not have made them?
The Minister for Defence has no idea of repudiating his signature in this case or in any other case. I wrote that letter and I admit that I called attention to the fact that there is an Order in existence, formulated by our predecessors in office, providing that vacancies must in the first place be given to those with two years' emergency service.
And the man who was dismissed had seven years.
Not in the Army.
In the L.D.F.
He had not it in the Army.
I shall ask this question. Does the Minister realise that the man who was dismissed volunteered for service in the Defence Forces, that he was rejected because he had varicose veins and that he immediately joined the L.D.F.?
He could have been rejected for varicose veins, but that does not constitute service in the Army for two years during the emergency.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary now aware, on the admission for the Minister for Defence, that it was due to his representations that Mr. Thomas Horgan was dismissed from his employment?
The Minister for Defence made no such statement. These lying insinuations are becoming too common.
It was an O'Higgins' job.
You placed a few yourselves.