asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether consultations took place with other Departments and with representatives of religious, educational, industrial, trade union and sporting bodies prior to the setting-up of the Commission of Inquiry into Public and Bank Holidays, in view of the importance of the nature of the inquiry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public and Bank Holidays Inquiry.
8.
There were prior consultations with other Departments and some of the principal interests concerned. One of the objects of establishing the Commission is to secure the fullest possible measure of consultation with all concerned. The Commission has invited all interested bodies and persons to submit their views.
Does the Minister consider this Commission sufficiently widely based for this purpose?
It represents to a fairly extensive degree all the important interests in the country. It includes the Irish County Councils' General Council, which covers a wide field, the chambers of commerce, the Federated Union of Employers, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Muintir na Tíre, An Bord Fáilte and my Department.
Did these organisations nominate their members to this Commission or did the Minister stick out his finger and pick them out?
In this case they nominated their members, but in other cases, I would be quite entitled to nominate members myself.
I am asking the Minister about the Irish Country-women's Association. Did the Minister select the individual to represent that organisation on the Commission or was a name submitted?
These organisations submitted names to me which I approved.
You approved the names submitted, but——
Is this a cross-examination?
You had your talk earlier.