asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state by whose authority an advertisement appeared in the "Irish Times" dated 18th July last under the name of R. Simmons styling himself Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission when, in fact, the position was vacant on that date.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LAND COMMISSION SOLICITOR.
The advertisement referred to was prepared in draft form before the position of Solicitor to the Land Commission became vacant, and had then appended the name of the late solicitor, who died during the week preceding the publication of the advertisement. The name of the assistant solicitor was substituted for that of the late solicitor when the advertisement was being sent for publication, but through an error he was not described as assistant solicitor. The latter was absent on leave at the time. In all subsequent notices of the kind over his name his correct title has been inserted.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say how it was that two advertisements, actually appeared, one under the name "R. Simmons, Solicitor for the Irish Land Commission," and the other under the name "R. Simmons, Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission"? I raised this question before the Recess, and since then every advertisement that I have noticed in the newspapers has appeared under the title "R. Simmons, Assistant Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission," but previous to this question the advertisements were under the title "Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission," although at that time the position was vacant.
As I explained in my reply to the Deputy, two advertisements actually appeared bearing the name "R. Simmons, Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission," in error. He was in hospital at the time and had nothing to do with the advertisements. Since then all advertisements appear under the name "R. Simmons, Assistant Solicitor to the Irish Land Commission," for the reason that the position of solicitor has not yet been filled.