asked the Minister for Education whether the Intermediate Education Board issued in April a form of appointment to examinership in English to Mrs. H. Sheehy Skeffington, stating that she was appointed to Examinership in English for 1924; whether in May she received with others so appointed a copy of examiners' rules, and whether, later, she received the usual form requiring her to hold herself free for six weeks after the examinations to attend conferences, etc.; whether in June, one week before the work would have begun, she with two others received notice that her appointment did not receive the "necessary approval," and whether accordingly her place had to be filled by Emergency Examiners; whether Mrs. Sheehy Skeffington's appointment was cancelled because of her views on Irish affairs; if not, for what reason was her appointment cancelled.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AN INTERMEDIATE EXAMINERSHIP.
Mrs. H. Sheehy Skeffington was one of those whose names were on a list drawn up by the Commissioners. She did not, and could not, receive appointment as examiner without the necessary approval.
No inquiry is made into the views on Irish affairs of any examiner.
Approval in this case was withheld by reason of the lady's participation in active opposition to the State.
Was that opposition less or more this year than it was last year? Is it a fact that Mrs. Sheehy Skeffington occupied this position last year?
I could not really say with regard to the lady's opposition, whether it was greater or more effective this year than it was last year. There is no right of permanency whatever to these appointments.
Mr. BYRNE
May I ask the Minister whether the policy of victimisation is going to be pursued because of people's activity in the past? Is he responsible for removing her name from the list or is another Department?