asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been called to a newspaper report in which it is stated that a former Fianna Fáil member of the previous council was appointed rate collector by a majority vote of the Galway County Council; if the appointment has been or will be sanctioned and whether or not the defeated applicant had been acting as rate collector in a temporary capacity and had given every satisfaction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Rate Collector.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the appointment as a rate collector by Galway County Council of a former member of the county council who has not been disassociated from the local authority for 12 months; and if, in view of the fact that a county manager refused to accept an application for a similar public position in County Laoighis from a former member of a local authority on the grounds that 12 months must elapse before such an appointment can be made, he proposes to refuse to sanction this appointment and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
I have seen the Press reports referred to, but I have received no communication from the Galway County Council in the matter. If the person referred to is not eligible for appointment, the question of sanction does not arise. I have not sufficient information in regard to the facts of this case on which to base a statement.
Following on the death of her father in August last, Miss Lee has been acting as rate collector in a temporary capacity. The returns of rate collection furnished to my Department indicate that her collection has been satisfactory.
Is it not a fact that a person cannot apply for a position to be filled by the county manager, unless he or she has resigned and has been disassociated with the local authority for a period of 12 months? Does the same not apply in the case of an appointment to be made by the council as a whole?
If he is disqualified, it will not come before the Minister at all.
When an election intervenes in the meantime, what is the position?
Is the Minister also aware that the only disability from which Miss Lee suffered was that she was not a member of the Fianna Fáil Party?
Is it not a fact that there is an objection to any person other than an O'Higgins securing an appointment in this country?
I will talk to you any time in Cavan.