asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that on the 23rd March, 1928, an agreed report of a discussion between representatives of Comhaltas Cana and the Revenue Commissioners regarding 1921 Entrants into the grade of Officer of Customs and Excise was forwarded to his Department for decision; whether he is aware that in October, 1928, a further agreed report, concerning removal expenses of certain Officers of Customs and Excise on voluntary transfer from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was transmitted to his Department, and whether he is further aware that no decision has been given in either case, notwithstanding the lapse of eighteen and twelve months respectively since the agreed reports were submitted, and whether his decision on these matters will now be given.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs and Excise Officials.
The matters to which the Deputy's question relates were, in both cases, incidental to the transfer of officers referred to from the British to the Saorstát service at the change of Government.
The first agreed report concerns an application for improved salary and seniority conditions submitted on behalf of two transferred officers of Customs and Excise, which was the subject of prolonged discussion about three years ago with the Revenue Commissioners. After careful consideration of the case I intimated to the Commissioners in December, 1926, that I could not accede to the application. The matter to which the other agreed report relates was considered as far back as October, 1924, when for reasons set out in a statement which I made in reply to a question by Deputy Peadar S. O Dubhghaill on 11th November, 1925, I decided that the payment of removal expenses in the cases in question would not be justified.
I have now been able to review both of the matters in the light of the agreed reports since submitted, and I find that these reports disclose no new facts which would warrant me in varying the decisions already given. I have so informed the Revenue Commissioners.
Is the Minister aware that neither of the two communications referred to in this particular question was acknowledged by his Department and will he arrange in the case of future negotiations of the same kind conducted through the proper civil service channels to have the communications duly acknowledged and properly dealt with?
I do not know the facts about that aspect of the matter. I will look into the question.