asked the President whether he is aware that certain dismissed rate collectors in the County Wexford were awarded gratuities and pensions at an inquiry presided over by Mr. Justice Wylie, in October last; whether the Wexford County Council have by resolution refused to include these amounts in the estimates of rates for the current year; and if he will state what steps, if any, the Government intends to take to have these awards paid.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CO. WEXFORD RATE COLLECTORS.
In October last Mr. Justice Wylie was invited to inquire into and advise upon the claims of certain rate collectors in Wexford County who were removed from office by the County Council.
The County Council were duly notified of the terms of the inquiry, and they agreed to be represented provided an assurance was received from the Minister for Local Government that the inquiry would be held in public. That assurance was given, and the County Council's representatives attended before Mr. Justice Wylie on the 1st October, 1923, when he awarded pensions in six cases with more than 10 years' service, and gratuities in six other cases with less than 10 years' service. In three cases no awards were made, as the persons concerned were appointed subsequently to the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1919.
Mr. Justice Wylie's award was communicated by him to the County Council. On the acceptance of the award by the County Council the necessary payments would have been sanctioned by me in pursuance of Section 11 (5) of the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923. The County Council have, however, refused to pay any compensation whatever to the excollectors, and recently by resolution decided not to make any provision in the present year for payment of the amounts awarded. The ex-officials are no doubt aware of the provisions of Section 8 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1919, under which an appeal lies to the Minister for Local Government as to the matter in dispute.
Can the Minister say if the County Council persist in this action the Government will see that these people are paid?
The matter rests primarily with the individuals concerned.
Is the Minister aware that the Wexford County Council, both prior and subsequent to this inquiry, always repudiated their liability to the claim, and that it was a gesture of courtesy to the Government when the County Council was asked to attend the inquiry that they went there?
Was not this tribunal set up by the Government, and have not awards been made by this tribunal, and is it not the Government's duty to insist on these awards being executed?
That is not altogether true. The matter should have come before me in a different way as a matter of fact.