asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the widespread indignation caused by the non-appointment of Miss Helen Cooke to the position of sub-postmistress in Baltinglass, he will postpone the transfer of the office pending further consideration of the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Baltinglass Post Office Appointment.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of his reply to a question on the 29th November that (1) suitability of premises, (2) character, (3) financial stability, were taken into consideration in filling the sub-post office vacancy in Baltinglass, he will state (a) on which of those grounds Miss Helen Cooke's application was rejected, and (b) on which Mr. Farrell's application was successful.
Mr. Brennan
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state whether one of the applicants for the position of sub-postmistress of Baltinglass sub-post office was a Miss Cooke; and, if so, whether he will further state if this lady has been engaged as assistant by the former postmistress for the past 13 years, and whether during that period there had been any complaint about the manner in which the business of the post office was carried out.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 31 and 32 together:—
Miss H.H. Cooke was an applicant for the position of sub-postmistress at Baltinglass post office. She had been employed as assistant by the former sub-postmistress for the past 14 years. During that period there has been no serious complaint regarding the conduct of the office.
Mr. Farrell was considered the most suitable candidate on a general assessment of his qualifications. It would be contrary to practice to give a detailed evaluation of the qualifications of the candidates on the lines requested by the Deputy.
The new sub-postmaster will take up duty as soon as certain necessary arrangements are made.
Is the Minister aware that this post office has been in the hands of the Cooke family for over 70 years? Is he aware that Miss Cooke has had 14 years of satisfactory service in that post office and does he think it is fair to deprive a person of the benefit of 14 years' satisfactory service to the public, to the Department and to the community? Further, does he think it is fair to appoint to that position a person who has no previous experience whatever, who holds a licensed premises and other business of a widespread nature, including land?
I will give the Deputy full information to-night. I can assure him that 70 years ago no other Irish person got an opportunity of applying for the job.
Mr. Brennan
Might I ask the Minister what technical qualifications has the proposed new postmaster for this position?
He is a member of the Labour Party.
Deputies will get my reply to-night.
Why not now?
Mr. Brennan
Why will the Minister not answer now?
Does the Minister suggest the Cooke family are not nationalists? The Cooke family have been nationalists for years and years; they were nationalists at the beginning of this century. So far as the insinuation that they are not nationalists is concerned, I say they have always been.
Mr. Brennan
And no one knows it better than the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. He has a long memory, though—16 years. He is trying to get some of his own back now.
What about the British unions?
What about the time of the Dáil and the business thereof?
Mr. Brennan
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state whether an underground cable was installed in the sub-post office in Baltinglass during the present year; and, if so, the cost of installation, and if he will further state the estimated cost of dismantling the equipment in the sub-post office and installing it in the proposed new premises.
For the purpose of providing telephones for potential subscribers an underground cable was laid this year in Baltinglass and terminated in the sub-post office. The cost of the work was £650. All the cabling work done would have been equally essential whether the exchange was located in the old or the new premises.
The cost of removing wires and equipment from the Baltinglass Sub-Post Office to the premises of the newly-appointed sub-postmaster is estimated at £146.
Mr. Brennan
Does the Minister consider that he has a concrete case in transferring the post office from its present position to the proposed new position? Does he consider that he has a concrete case to the extent that he could utilise public moneys which could be better used in erecting extra lines to ease the already overcharged lines in that area?
Has the Deputy a supplementary question?
The job has been done and the Minister is going to stick to it. He has given his pal a job.
What about the Mallow Labour Exchange?
It is dirty, low-down, mean corruption.
I have already given notice of my intention to raise the subject-matter of a question I had on the Order Paper last week.
So I understand.
With the permission of the Chair, I would like to deal with that matter to-night.
Could the subject-matter of all these questions be raised on the Adjournment at the same time without confining it to one question?
Only one person can give notice of what he is going to raise.
My point is, will we be allowed to discuss all these matters?