asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a meeting of the Quay Committee of the Dublin Port and Docks Board, held at Westmoreland Street, on Thursday, the 13th instant, recommended seven men for appointment as Harbour Constables, six of whom are in receipt of pensions under the Treaty; if he is aware that no public advertisements were made in the Press to enable demobilised soldiers of the National Army to apply for such positions; if he will say if any application was made to the Soldiers' Re-settlement Department respecting these appointments and, if not, if he will make representations to the Harbour Board for consideration of the claims of demobilised and retired soldiers of the National Army?
PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTIONS. - APPOINTMENT OF HARBOUR CONSTABLES (DUBLIN).
Mr. O'HIGGINS
, replying: The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has no official information as to the first part of this question, but it is a fact that no application was made to the Re-settlement Section of the Ministry respecting vacancies in the employment of the Dublin Port and Docks Board. Arrangements are being made to discuss with the Dublin Port and Docks Board the filling of vacancies by ex-members of the National Army.
Arising out of that answer, perhaps the Minister may not be able to answer the question that I am about to put to him; in that case would he reply to it tomorrow? It is in regard to a number of appointments on which the Quay Committee of the Port and Docks Board have made representation. The appointment comes on for ratification to-morrow before the Dublin Port and Docks Board. Will he make representation that in connection with these appointments, demobilised and retired members of the National Army would receive equal consideration with those others who are to be proposed for the appointment of Harbour Constables?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I will inquire whether the last sentence of the reply covers the appointments to be made tomorrow. That sentence states: "Arrangements are being made to discuss with the Dublin Port and Docks Board the filling of vacancies by ex-members of the National Army." The Deputy wants to know whether that is general or whether it has reference to particular appointments. I will inquire and let the Deputy know to-morrow.
Does the Minister consider that this question of the appointment by the Dublin Port and Docks Board comes under the purview of the Minister for Home Affairs?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I was answering on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
I think the Minister for Home Affairs misunderstood the trend of my question. It was not a question of his Department. My view is that the Port and Docks Board are able to manage their own business, and I really think that in the matter of their appointments coming before the Dáil in this way they should get a reasonable notice before these matters are brought up.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The ability of the Port and Docks Board to do their own business is not in question. There is a branch of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce specifically functioning, and its work is to attend to the question of the re-settlement in civilian life of demobilised soldiers. I take it that it is from that angle that the Deputy puts his question.
The form of the question is "if the Minister will make representations to the Port and Docks Board for consideration of the claims of demobilised and retired soldiers of the National Army." So that the question of control by the Minister does not arise on the question allowed on the paper.
This is the first time I heard the question.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
It is the first time I heard it, too.