asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the officer in charge of the Post Office Investigation Department makes a practice of giving evidence as a handwriting expert in cases not concerned with the Post Office, involving absence from his P.O. duties for periods of several days, and if he will state out of what fund he is paid for this work, and whether his Post Office salary still continues while he is so engaged.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POSTAL OFFICIAL AS HANDWRITING EXPERT.
I am aware that the official in question is occasionally employed as a handwriting expert. There is not any charge made against the Post Office in respect of such services nor is the officer in question at liberty to engage in this when on Post Office duty.
Is this man a whole-time official in the Post Office?
That is my question—is this man a whole-time official or is he not? I think we are entitled to an answer to that?
Captain Moynihan is a civil servant employed by the Post Office, but he is entitled, in time which is not necessary for the Post Office, to engage in other employment, provided that his service during that time is not charged on the Post Office.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the gentleman in question spent three days at the Circuit Court in Cork recently? Was he paid by the Post Office for that time or not?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware also that he spent fourteen days at the Croker Commission? Is it possible when he was engaged in that case he could still be required? If he can be spared for fourteen days at a time, what is he wanted for?
That is a separate question.
Is this man a qualified, appointed civil servant?
That also is a separate question.
I think my supplementary question arises out of the question on the Paper.
There are two official languages recognised in the Dáil. The English language is understood by every Deputy, the Irish language is understood by a few Deputies, but there is a language spoken now that nobody in the Dáil understands.
Might I ask if the Deputy is referring to the Cork accent? Might I also ask the Parliamentary Secretary if the same rule that he now applies to the official mentioned would apply to all other civil servants in his Department?
If special application is made for a right to engage in other occupations it will be granted in special cases.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that this man went to the United States and was there for three months engaged on the Croker Commission, and had he the authority of the Parliamentary Secretary for that?
My original reply to the Deputy's question answers the supplementary question.
I did not hear the answer.
I will repeat it if the Deputy likes.
DEPUTIES
"No, no."