asked the Minister for Education when the post of Biographical Research Officer was created in the National Library; who was appointed to it; who occupies it at present; what is the salary paid to the occupant of the post, and the total amount paid out of public funds in respect of the post and any positions previously held by the present occupant of the post in respect of which he received remuneration from public funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Library: Post of Biographical Research Officer.
35.
Mr. Ryan
The post of Biographical Research Officer was created in the National Library in 1954. The officer who was then appointed, Mr. Francis Gallagher, still occupies the post.
Does he?
The salary attached to the post is £1,930 per annum, and the total amount paid in respect of the post to 31st March, 1960, is £11,061. 11. 8. The present occupant of the post previously held posts as Principal Officer in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, Publicity Officer in the Department of Health and Director of the Government Information Bureau.
And chief adviser to Fianna Fáil.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister agree with me that it would be more appropriate if this person who writes under the name of David Hogan a series of articles in the Sunday Press called “Books from my Shelves” were to change it to “Books from the Shelves of the National Library”?
That is a completely unfounded allegation. It is well known that this gentleman has a very extensive library and that nobody is better fitted to do the work that he is doing.
And it is also well known that he is roaring Fianna Fáil and writes a most biassed history.
Deputy Sweetman would know nothing about it. He never moved in these circles.
Calm yourself. Are you ashamed of having him as a supporter?
He was known before Deputy Sweetman was heard of. When the Deputy will have done as much for this country as Frank Gallagher has done, he can talk.
They may give him a job in the Board of Works as Inspector of Supplies perhaps.
They seem to be rather sore to-day, very cross indeed.
We do not like this kind of thing being said by people of the calibre of Deputy Sweetman.
Calm yourself back there.
The Deputy became uncalm first.
The Deputy never became uncalm.