asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that, because of a misunderstanding between his Department and the urban district council, there are at present two acting town surveyors in Listowel, and if so, whether in view of the considerable expense thereby being imposed on the ratepayers, he will have the matter investigated immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Listowel Town Surveyors.
I am not aware that there is any misunderstanding between my Department and the Listowel Urban District Council. On 6th November last the county manager purported to remove from office the person who had been acting as town surveyor there for a number of years and to appoint another person in his place. I am advised that, although this officer is a temporary officer, he cannot be removed from office by the local authority save in accordance with the statutory procedure prescribed under Section 26 of the Local Government Act, 1941, and with my consent. My Department informed the local authority to this effect on a number of occasions and pointed out that the acting town surveyor continued in office pending his removal from office with my consent obtained after compliance with the statutory procedure referred to. It was not until 22nd February that the local authority put the statutory procedure in motion and applied for my consent to his removal from office. That application is being considered by me and I hope to be in a position to give my decision on it shortly. If there are two persons acting as town surveyor in Listowel at present, the responsibility must rest with the local authority and any necessary expense involved will be subject to review in due course by the auditor.