andMr. Clinton asked the Minister for Local Government whether he considers it appropriate at this time to amend the County Management Acts to permit of transferring powers already vested in the Manager to a board consisting of the Manager, the County Engineer and the County Medical Officer of Health.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Powers of County Managers.
22.
Legislation on the lines indicated by the Deputies is not contemplated.
Will the Minister not agree that the county engineer, who is responsible for spending large sums of money, and who has experience in roadmaking, housing, sanitary services and so on, should be associated in some way with these matters so as to allow for ready decisions on them? Would the Minister not agree that, equally so, the medical officer of health and the manager should be associated with them? Would not these three officials give a more ready solution than that given by the Minister?
I should think the general purpose of putting an engineer and a CMO in an executive capacity in any local authority is to advise the local head of that authority as to their views on matters which are particularly their concern. This, I have no doubt, is done and I cannot agree with the view that by making three heads of the local authority you will get things done more quickly.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not agree that professional people and technical people are only small people and that the entire authority is with the administrative people and they do not fail to say so?
This is clearly advocating legislation.