asked the President if he is aware that the Kilkenny County Council has deferred the appointment of the veterinary surgeon recommended by the Local Appointments Commissioners for the post of veterinary inspector for the Urlingford area; if he will state whether the recommendation was made following inquiry by a selection board appointed by the Commissioners, and whether the board had before them particulars as to the service of the person recommended, whilst inspector of cowsheds and dairies to the Callan Rural District Council from August, 1913, to August 1920.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - KILKENNY VETERINARY APPOINTMENT.
I understand that the Kilkenny County Council have not yet appointed the candidate recommended to them by the Local Appointments Commissioners for the post of veterinary surgeon for the Urlingford area. In arriving at their decision to make this recommendation the Commissioners had the assistance of a competent board of selection which interviewed the candidates for the post and reported on their relative merits according to qualifications and experience.
Inquiry into the health and character of candidates is not a function of the selection board but of the Commissioners themselves. In the present case the Commissioners took the usual steps to satisfy themselves as to the suitability of the candidate in these respects. The Commissioners have had before them certain particulars as to the service of the person recommended whilst he was acting as inspector of cowsheds and dairies to the Callan Rural District Council in the period referred to in the question and they see no reason to vary the recommendation they have made for the post in the Urlingford area.