asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for the resignation of the former Garda Commissioner.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Resignation of Garda Commissioner.
30.
The Commissioner applied for my consent to retire on pension, in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925. That Order provides that the consent of the Minister is required for the retirement on pension, under the age of 60 years, of a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner or Surgeon.
The Order makes no reference to the furnishing by an applicant under section 4 (2) of reasons in support of his application for the Minister's consent. In deciding to give my consent to the former Commissioner's application, I was influenced by the fact that under the relevant statutory provisions he was entitled to the maximum superannuation award, and also by my view that all posts in the Force should be held by professional policemen. The greater portion of the former Commissioner's career to date in the public service has been spent not in the Garda Síochána, but in the Civil Service.
Do I take it that the Minister's view represents a change in Fianna Fáil policy which on two occasions was to appoint civil servants as Commissioners?
This is my view now. The only relevant matter is what is the best course to adopt in 1965. There were certain reasons for the adoption of the Government's policy on previous occasions and to go into those reasons——
I take it that it represents a change in policy?
Arising out of the Minister's reply, he said that on 14 occasions I used two official cars——
We have gone beyond that question.
I understood the Minister to state that he proposed to place these files on the Table of the House and to make them available to me. May I assume that that is his intention?
Yes, I shall place the file relevant to Deputy Dillon on the Table of the House, unless the Deputy wants me to read it out now.
The Minister will put them on the Table?
I shall, with Deputy MacEoin's reprimand. It makes nice reading.