asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the appointment of a medical officer to Ballina District Hospital, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Medical Officer.
5.
The Local Appointments Commissioners recommended a candidate for appointment to the post on 9th January, 1975 and the Western Health Board have offered the appointment to the doctor concerned. The candidate's definite reply to the offer of appointment is awaited.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people of Ballina are not satisfied with the terms of this appointment? Is he further aware that the man who was appointed has visited the area and is not happy? He feels the work load is too much for a single man on a part-time basis. Will the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister and the Department of Health to consider readvertising this as a full-time post?
The simple and straight answer to this question is that this appointment was made by the Local Appointments Commission. The man was recommended for the job and has not decided whether he will take it and until such time as he does it would not be correct for us to discuss it here.
It is fine for the Parliamentary Secretary to say that there is no point in discussing this.
A question, Deputy, please.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that last week there were two very severe accidents in the Ballina area? Is he further aware that there is considerable resentment in that area about the way in which this matter is being treated? Would he not agree with the wishes of the people of Ballina, the surrounding area and the IMA in this case?
All I can say is that the Local Appointments Commission have made a recommendation. I agree with the Deputy that it took them a long time to do it. Now that they have made it and the appointment is still under discussion with the Department of Health, I do not think any useful purpose will be served by discussing it here.
Let us hope nothing serious happens.
Let the Deputy not blame me for that.