den Aire Puist agus Telegrafa (a) cé an fáth ar toghadh duine gan Gaelhilg mar fo-mhaighistir puist i nDún Feannchaidhe le goirid; (b) ar glacadh fós leis an bhfear a toghadh; (c) an bhfuil fhios ag an Aire go bhfuil an áit sin i lár na Gaeltachta; agus (d) cad é an caingean atá ag an Roinn Puist agus Telegrafa i dtaobh na Gaedhilge.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TOGHADH FO-MHAIGHISTIR PUIST.
D'fhiafruigh
The policy of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs with regard to the use of Irish in the Post Office is as laid down in the White Paper recently laid before the House, containing the Government's decisions on the recommendations made by the Gaedhealtacht Commission. In the case of the Dunfanaghy Sub-Post Office, it was not possible to appoint a Sub-Postmaster with a fluent knowledge of Irish, but the person appointed has been required, as a condition of appointment, to provide a competent Irish-speaking Assistant, and, pending the provision of such an Assistant, his appointment has not been confirmed. The Minister is aware that Dunfanaghy is situated within the Gaedhealtacht area. Only 32 per cent. of the inhabitants of the District Electoral Division of Dunfanaghy are, however, Irish-speaking.
I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary was there not an applicant for the post who was fully qualified both as to general education and as to a knowledge of Irish, and if that is so, why was not such a person appointed?
There was an applicant who was fully qualified in regard to a knowledge of Irish, but this candidate was not considered fully qualified in regard to other essential requirements for the position of Sub-Postmaster.
As I am not satisfied with the Parliamentary Secretary's answer, I should like to raise the question on the Adjournment. A person who was a fully qualified National teacher should be able to conduct a sub-post office.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that very grave dissatisfaction exists amongst the people of County Donegal in regard to the filling of this appointment, and that the people of Donegal rightly look upon it as an indication of the insincerity of the Government's attitude in regard to the recommendations of the Gaeltacht Commission?
Will the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House what were the necessary qualifications which this man lacked?
In reply to Deputy Cassidy's supplementary question, I understand that there was a considerable amount of dissatisfaction expressed at this appointment. There has also been a considerable amount of satisfaction expressed by others. It is not for me to say whether the amount of satisfaction is greater than the amount of dissatisfaction. With regard to Deputy Cooney's supplementary question, the Deputy must recognise that there must be other requirements in regard to the appointment of a sub-postmaster besides a knowledge of Irish. There are other requirements necessary, and we consider that the other candidate had not the special requirements in regard to other qualifications which were necessary.
We are all anxious to know what the other qualifications were.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if the people of Dunfanaghy desire to exercise their rights to speak exclusively in Irish, it is going to be impossible for this man to carry out his duties and in view of that will he reconsider the decision and give the appointment to a person who is qualified both in regard to a knowledge of Irish and other requirements?
We have made a definite condition that the sub-postmaster must appoint a person fully qualified in regard to a knowledge of Irish. It is not our intention to confirm the appointment until that condition is satisfied.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary also make a condition that the person appointed must be able to receive and send messages in Irish on the telegraphic instruments?
The sub-postmaster appointed is an expert telegraphist. I have no information that the other person knows anything about the telegraph instrument.
This question cannot be raised on the Adjournment because notice has been already given by Deputy O'Dowd of another matter. Only one matter can be raised on the Adjournment.