I addressed a question to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs yesterday about the appointment of an auxiliary postman in a place called Banemore, Listowel, County Kerry. The question I put to the Minister was a very simple one and required a simple answer. I am afraid the Minister did not give that simple answer and it is because I was not satisfied with the nature of the reply that I deem it my duty to raise the matter on the adjournment this evening. The question I put to the Minister was:
"To ask the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate the considerations that led to the discharge of Mr. Edmund O'Sullivan from the job of auxiliary postman at Banemore, Listowel, and the appointment of another man in his place."
The Minister's reply was as follows:
"Mr. O'Sullivan was temporarily employed on a vacant auxiliary postman position at Listowel pending a permanent appointment being made. His claim and qualifications were carefully considered with those of the other eight candidates nominated by the exchange authorities, but the circumstances did not admit of his selection. The most suitable candidate was appointed."
The most suitable candidate! The position is that a vacancy for an auxiliary postman occurred at Banemore nearly two years ago and at that time there were a good many applicants for the post including Mr. O'Sullivan who was afterwards appointed and also including the person who has been now appointed. I understand that in all these appointments certain considerations arise. In the first place, inquiries have had to be made as to whether the applicants have had service in any of the national forces during the emergency. The Minister told me yesterday, replying to a supplementary question, that that was still Government policy. The consideration also arises as to the applicant who is in receipt of the highest amount of unemployment assistance and, I hold that the Minister or his Department or whoever was responsible—and the Minister must be held responsible—did not act according to these considerations.
I understand that Mr. O'Sullivan, the man who was actually in the job, was, when he was appointed, the person who was in receipt of the highest amount of unemployment assistance. I have also here a letter from the postmaster to indicate that Mr. O'Sullivan had national service in the Defence Forces during the emergency although when I mentioned that yesterday in my supplementary question the Minister treated it with a certain amount of derision, because Mr. O'Sullivan had not very long service to his credit. In any case, the fact remains that he offered himself for service.
