asked the Minister for Health whether he received a request from the Dublin Health Authority to receive a deputation from the Authority to discuss the case of Dr. Barry Hooper; if so, when such request was received; what reply was given to the Authority; and when it was given.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Case of Dublin Doctor.
9.
Mr. Ryan
On 7th November last I received from the Dublin Health Authority a request that I should receive a deputation to discuss the introduction of legislation to amend the legislative code dealing with the appointments to the local government service which has been in operation since 1926, or alternatively the local government superannuation code, in the interests of Dr. Hooper, formerly a temporary district medical officer in the Dublin Health Authority area.
In a reply to a question by the Deputy on 2nd November last, I explained my attitude to the amendment, as proposed, of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926. Under that Act, whenever a post such as that of District Medical Officer comes to be filled in a permanent capacity, the Local Appointments Commissioners are required to recommend for appointment the candidate best qualified for the post and it would be quite contrary to the public interest to amend the Act so that that principle would not apply in regard to a particular post.
The local government superannuation code is of general application throughout the local government service and I would not feel justified in recommending its amendment to cover a particular case.
In the light of this, no useful purpose would be served by my receiving the deputation, as proposed, and I propose to reply accordingly to the Dublin Health Authority.
I may add that over the last two years I have received a wide variety of representations from Deputies and others on behalf of Dr. Hooper, to all of which I have given the most careful and sympathetic consideration.