asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) whether two additional directors have been appointed to Bord na Móna, (b) the dates of their appointment, (c) the names, addresses, occupations and qualifications of the persons appointed, and (d) the reasons for enlarging the board at the present time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Directors.
Mr. Lemass
The Government reappointed the following Directors of Bord na Móna with effect from 21st June, 1956:— Mr. R.C. Barton, Glendalough House, Annamoe, County Wicklow. Mr. C.S. Andrews, "Ardcath," Taney Road, Dundrum, County Dublin. Mr. A. O'Rahilly, "Mooreen," Clondalkin, County Dublin. Dr. T.S. Wheeler, 1 Crannagh Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin. Mr. A. Woods, Sandyford Cross, County Dublin.
The Government also appointed the following additional Directors with effect from 26th October, 1956:— Mr. Peter P. Wilkinson, "Aldersyde," Dublin Road, Naas, County Kildare, and Mr. William Sweeney, Dungloe, County Donegal.
The Government considered that the new appointees possessed appropriate qualifications for appointment and that in view of the present and projected activities of the board, it was necessary to bring the number of directors up to that authorised by the Turf Development Act, 1946.
Mr. Lemass
What increased activities of the board took place to require the appointment of two solicitors as additional directors?
That is another misstatement by the Deputy, for which, of course, he will not apologise.
Mr. Lemass
I asked the Minister as to the occupations——
The Deputy has drawn a blank in that supplementary. May I put this point of view, Sir? Is it Deputy Lemass's contention that his political pals should dominate the boards of the State-sponsored bodies in this country? If that is so, political brazenness has reached a new level.
Mr. Lemass
Is the Minister asserting that the five members of the board whom he has reappointed are political pals of mine?
The Deputy should put the question to them, and let me see the answers. Let them disown him, if they want to.
Mr. Lemass
Are we to take it that the Minister's decision is this——
Deputy McQuillan.
Would the Minister not agree that it is rather contradictory that Bord na Móna saw fit to reduce the number of technicians, the most important men for the development of Bord na Móna, and at the same time the Government found it necessary to increase the numbers of directors of the board. Is there not something contradictory about that?
There is nothing contradictory about it at all. It may very well happen that in other circumstances another board would not have run into the difficulties this board has run into.
Mr. Lemass
Is that criticism of the board?
The Deputy can find that out for himself. He sees the board as often as I do.
Mr. Lemass
Am I to take it from the Minister's replies that he has no confidence in the former directors of Bord na Móna, either because of their political opinions or because of the manner in which they are carrying on the undertaking?
I think the Deputy should read for the first time the reply I have just made. I appointed the outgoing members of the board—all the outgoing members—but I am not going to adopt the proposition that every State-sponsored body in this country is to be filled with persons who are well-known supporters of the Fianna Fáil Party. There are other elements in the community as well.
Mr. Lemass
Does the Minister suggest——
Question No. 9.
Mr. Lemass
In view of the circumstances, I had better raise this matter on the Adjournment.
That will clear up something!
Mr. Lemass
It might knock something into the thick heads opposite.
I did not accuse the Deputy of having any head.