asked the Minister for Defence if a vacancy for head-messenger in his Department has been filled within recent weeks; and, if so, if he will state what procedure was followed in making the appointment and, further, if he will give the age, qualifications and service of the appointee.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Head Messenger's Appointment.
The reply to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. I made the appointment as it was regarded as subordinate employment and the occupant of the post, like his predecessor, is employed in an unestablished capacity.
The age of the appointee is 60 years; his service and qualifications are over 16 years as messenger in Government buildings, together with 1916 and continuous service throughout the War of Independence, and six years as a commissioned officer of the 26th Battalion during the emergency.
Would the Minister inform the House whether this is the same gentleman who, on the election of the inter-Party Government, threw off his uniform and walked out of Government Buildings, and said that he would not serve under any Government other than a Fianna Fáil Government, and is then brought back into Government employment on the accession of this Government?
I would like to inform the House that the Deputy would be better employed asking questions——
Answer the question.
——concerning his constituents instead of attempting to besmirch the name of an honourable man.
Answer the question.
Mr. Boland
If you had a record such as he has you would have something to boast of.
Answer the supplementary.