asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the serious discontent in almost every case of appointments of sub-postmasters or mistresses in rural areas he will consider establishing a system whereby the names of the eligible applicants will be submitted to a referendum of all persons over 21 years of age living in the area served by the post office in which the vacancy has arisen, the Minister being obliged to appoint the applicant successful at the referendum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sub-post Office Appointments.
As I stated in my reply on 4th November, out of 302 appointments made of recent date the number where evidence of dissatisfaction came to my notice in the Dáil is absolutely negligible, and is due mostly to the agitation of disappointed applicants and is entirely fugitive in character.
The criterion by which these appointments can be judged is whether the quality of the service provided and the traditional courtesy of those who are at the counters are satisfactory. I have yet to receive a single complaint of inefficiency or discourtesy and the head postmasters concerned, I am informed, have found everything to be satisfactory.
The system suggested by the Deputy would be ridiculous and might equally apply to Gardaí, dispensary doctors or rent collectors.
That does not require a supplementary.