asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that, in connection with the appointment of Clerk to the Dundalk District Court, it was specifically stated that preference would be given to candidates residing in the locality, and if, in view of this, the Minister will state why a person who was not resident in the locality was appointed to the position.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUNDALK DISTRICT COURT CLERKSHIP.
In accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Regulation Acts, the duty of selecting a suitable candidate for appointment as Clerk to the Dundalk District Court lay with the Civil Service Commissioners. The selection was made by them through the machinery of qualifying examination and Selection Board. I am aware that in the advertisement issued by the Commissioners it was stated that preference would be given to candidates residing in the locality, and I have no doubt that this factor was given due weight when the selection was being made. I was satisfied that the candidate who was selected, and whose name was submitted to me by the Commissioners, was very suitable for the post, and I, accordingly, appointed him.
Is the Minister aware that the candidate who was selected for this post was not a resident in the locality, according to the terms of the advertisement; that he comes from Arklow, County Wicklow?
I know he was not a resident.
Is the Minister aware that, subsequent to the examination being held, candidates to the number of six or seven who sat for this examination were summoned to Dublin, thereby intimating to them that at least one of their number would be fortunate enough to secure this position? Further, is the Minister aware that one of the local candidates who sat for this examination took a very high place in the examination for solicitors' apprentices? In view of the great dissatisfaction existing in the county over this appointment, I would ask the Minister to reconsider his decision and give the appointment, in accordance with the terms of the advertisement, to a resident of the locality.
I thought I had made it clear to the Deputy that it was the Civil Service Commissioners who made the selection. The Civil Service Commissioners selected a particular person, a gentleman named Molloy, who was in every way suitable for this position.
In view of the unsatisfactory answer given by the Minister, I give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.