asked the Minister for Local Government if it is correct that his Parliamentary Secretary was an applicant recently for a staff appointment with Wexford County Council, whether the appointment was made through a competitive examination or by interview, if by the latter method, of whom did the board consist and by whom was the board selected, and if he will further state the number of applicants for the post, who was successful, and whether his Department's sanction has yet been given for the person appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford County Council Staff Appointment.
The answer to the first part of the question is "yes." The appointment was made on the results of an interview of the candidates. The interview board consisted of a county manager of an adjoining county and the county secretaries of two other adjoining counties. The personnel of the board was selected by the Wexford county manager. There were six applicants for the post. Mr. Brendan Corish was placed first in order of merit by the board. He was duly promoted by the county manager from the clerical post previously held by him on the county council staff and his appointment has been sanctioned.
Would the Minister say if any of these gentlemen who were members of the interview board would have reason at any time to submit any proposals or recommendations from the councils by which they are employed to the Parliamentary Secretary in question for sanction by that individual?
Will the Minister state how many appointments of staff officers in the Wexford County Council took place during the last Government's term of office and how they were appointed?
That is a separate question.
I have asked a supplementary question. I want to know if any of these gentlemen who composed the interview board before which the Parliamentary Secretary appeared would have reason in the course of their duty to submit proposals or recommendations to the said Parliamentary Secretary for his sanction.
The answer is "no".
Will the Minister say if, in the proposals to be submitted to this House for the amendment of the County Management Act, there will be included an amendment of the powers, the exercise of which has resulted in this appointment?
Next question.
Vice and corruption.
Will the Minister tell the House if there is anything irregular in a Deputy of this House, who is on indefinite leave from a local authority, presenting himself through the ordinary channels for promotion, especially in view of the fact that the principle of granting indefinite leave——
Speech, speech.
Shut up—in view of the fact that this House——
I have submitted, through you, Sir, a supplementary question to the Minister and I have not got a reply and now I find the Parliamentary Secretary, who is in the dock, is using his position in this House to make a speech on this subject.
I want to know whether the Deputy rose to ask a question or to attack the Chair. Next question.
Might I be allowed to say a word, in view of the fact that Deputy Smith says I am in the dock? I merely want to ask the Minister if he will state whether the principle whereby indefinite leave is granted to employees of local authorities to attend in Dáil Éireann has been accepted by this House on the initiative of Deputy MacEntee when he was Minister for Local Government. Does the Deputy necessarily mean to say that the ordinary avenues of promotion should be denied to an official who is on indefinite leave? Further, will the Minister state——
Speech, Chair.
——how many Deputies of this House are also employees of local authorites——
Speech.
——who have been promoted while they were members of this House?
Speech, Chair. Where is the vice and corruption now?
Order!
Why did you not raise it on the Estimate?
Where is the vice and corruption now?
Order! I do not know what vice the Deputy is referring to. I know where the voice is— the Minister.
I know what I am referring to.
Why did you not raise it on the Estimate?
Question No. 52.
I am raising it now.
You are badly briefed, my boy.
Be fair to your colleagues.
Where is the vice and corruption now?
Ask the Deputy beside you about Phyllis Ryan? What about Phyllis Ryan?
Question No. 52.