asked the Minister for Justice the names and addresses of all peace commissioners appointed during the period 1st April, 1957, to 14th March, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Peace Commissioner Appointments.
21.
The number of peace commissioners appointed during the period 1st April, 1957, to 14th March, 1973 was 2,492. Many of them are now dead and others have resigned.
In answer to a Parliamentary Question on 28th February I gave the names and addresses of those peace commissioners who were appointed by me since I took office. I did so because they were recent appointments and because I did not wish it to be thought that by refusing to give the particulars sought I was trying to conceal anything. These considerations do not apply in relation to the peace commissioners appointed before I took office and as the numbers involved are very large I consider that the work and cost involved in compiling a list of names and addresses would be excessive by reference to its usefulness.
Arising out of this planted question, can the Minister give the figures in reply to my question which he has mentioned, setting out the number of peace commissioners appointed from 1st April, 1973, to 15th January, 1974?
First, it is not a planted question. The Deputy's reference to it indicates a practice that obviously took place in the previous Administration. The answer to the other part of the question was given on 28th February.
The reply the Minister gave me was that between 1st April, 1973, and 15th January, 1974, the Coalition groupings appointed 423 peace commissioners——
Once again the Deputy is making a statement.
The Minister has given us a figure for the Fianna Fáil Administration——
The Deputy must find another opportunity of debating this matter.
The Minister gave a figure of 2,492. On the basis of the number they appointed in one year the Coalition would have appointed more than 6,600 peace commissioners in 16 years.
Can the Minister say if there is any truth in the rumour that peace commissioners must now queue to sign the same summons?
What about the Deputy's cousin?
Of the eight the Deputy recommended he only got seven——
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Question No. 22.
22.
asked the Minister for Justice the names and addresses of any peace commissioners appointed during the period 1st April, 1957, to 1st March, 1973, whose warrants were withdrawn before 14th March, 1973; and the reason for such action in each case.
The number of peace commissioners appointed during the period 1st April, 1957, and 1st March, 1973, whose warrants were withdrawn before 14th March 1973, was 13. I would not be willing to publicise reasons for the withdrawal of individual warrants or even to give the names and address of those concerned since the possible embarrassment to some of them would outweigh lieve, be unfair and would outweigh any public interest there might be in having the information made available.
Why did the Minister ask the Deputy to plant the question if he cannot give him a reply?
I have already told the Deputy they are not planted questions. He should not draw on his own experience in this regard to make wrong accusations.
Surely it is highly improper for a Deputy, as Deputy Andrews has repeatedly done, to imply that a question put down by an elected representative in this House is a planted question?
That is a separate question.
I am entitled to a reply——
I am trying to deal with questions. I am calling Question No. 23.