asked the Minister for Finance if he will state, in respect of the paymastership under the special employment schemes office filled by Mr. Patrick Flannery, of Milltown, County Galway (1) the number of persons (giving their names and addresses) who were submitted to him for this position; (2) by whom they were submitted; (3) the number of those interviewed (giving their names), and (4) the means of each individual; and, further, if he will state what national service, if any, was rendered at any period by Mr. Flannery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Paymaster.
I have already explained in reply to previous questions on this subject that it is not the practice to invite applications for paymasterships, that these posts are not remunerated on a salary basis, and that suitability for employment in them requires special qualities which do not lend themselves to satisfactory assessment by interview. In these circumstances, no useful purpose would be served by publishing the names and addresses and other particulars of those persons who were considered for the post to which the Deputy refers. I can assure him that Mr. Flannery's record of national service is no mean one.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary will answer the question I asked as to what service this man had, because nobody knows. In reply to a question of mine on 7th March, the Parliamentary Secretary said that the appointee was one of a number of persons whose names were submitted to him. In order to satisfy myself and the House, I gave him an opportunity of telling us who the applicants were whose names were submitted. The Parliamentary Secretary has not given them and there is only one reason why they have not been given.
Has the Deputy a supplementary question to ask?
I am asking why the Parliamentary Secretary has refused to give me the names or to answer the question I put down to-day.
I did answer it.
And I am saying that the reason he has refused——
That is not a question.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state definitely the reason why he has not done so? Is it just because——
I have done so. Will I spell it for you?
You do not have to spell it. I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary——
What?
He said on that same day that if I had any objections to raise with regard to the appointment of this man, "to let me know and I will consider the matter". I have the greatest objection.
The Deputy is not asking a supplementary question.
I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary will he cancel this appointment and will he appoint a decent, honest-to-God, working man from Galway.
Raise that on the Adjournment, will you?
The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to raise this on the Adjournment, and I will oblige him.