asked the Minister for Justice whether alcoholism is recognised by his Department as a medical disease; and if a member of his staff can be dismissed on account of suffering from such an illness.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcoholism.
65.
The chief medical officer of the Civil Service has stated to my Department that alcoholism is, of course, recognised throughout the public service as an illness. No member of the staff of the Department of Justice has been dismissed on account of suffering from such an illness. Circumstances could arise, of course, in which alcoholics might have to be retired on health grounds or dismissed because of misbehaviour.
Is the Minister aware that a person suffering from the disease known as alcoholism could in certain circumstances behave erratically due to the fact that he is suffering from the disease? His actions are directly related to the illness and a dismissal would be a most unfair way of dealing with such a person. Such a person should be treated not only on perhaps one occasion but should be given a fair medical examination prior to dismissal. In view of what Deputy Desmond has said earlier regarding the amount of money the State spends in training a garda——
That is a separate question.
Nobody suffering from alcoholism has been dismissed——
Take a person who was diagnosed and certified as suffering from alcoholism and who was dismissed because of certain actions he performed while a member of that Garda force. Would the Minister not agree that such a person should not be dismissed from the service——
The gardaí are not members of the staff of my Department. If the Deputy has some particular case in mind, I suggest that he communicate with me and I shall look into it.
The Chair is about to call Question No. 66. The Chair would point out that there are 215 Questions on the Order Paper. There does not seem much likelihood that Deputies can hope to get an answer to every question unless they take——
I beg your pardon.
I am raising a very important issue which concerns not only the Department of Justice but every public Department. I am not delaying the time of the House. I could raise the matter on the Adjournment. This is a national problem.
The Chair is pointing out the progress that has been made so far at Question Time. Furthermore, on Thursdays, notice of intention to raise a matter on the Adjournment must be given before 3.30 p.m.