asked the Minister for Finance whether the conduct of a former Principal Clerk in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and of one other officer in that Department has recently been the subject of a disciplinary inquiry; if so, to state (a) the rank of the other officer concerned, (b) the respective duties of the officers involved, particularly in relation to the administration of the Betting Act, 1926, and (c) the exact nature, subject-matter, findings, and disciplinary consequences of the inquiry in relation to each officer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revenue Officials' Conduct.
No disciplinary inquiry of the kind indicated by the Deputy has been held recently. Such an inquiry was held two years ago, but I can see no reason why the officials concerned should, in addition to the disciplinary action then taken, be pilloried after this lapse of time by a discussion of the matter in the Dáil.
As the question appears to have arisen from the recent discussion regarding the mitigation of Excise penalties by the Revenue Commissioners, I may add that the information sought would have no relevance whatever to that discussion, since nothing relating to the mitigation of penalties arose during the inquiry referred to.
Will the Minister at least tell the House whether this inquiry was in relation to the conduct of the officers in connection with the Betting Act, 1926?
In connection with the betting duty, yes.
Were there two officers involved?
Yes.
May I suggest to the Minister that he is not to be the sole judge of relevancy in this matter and that this information is required for the purpose of enabling the members of the House to determine their attitude in connection with the amendment before the House in relation to the Betting Bill?