asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether applications are invited for the position of commissioner to administer the affairs of a local authority; and, if so, in what manner; whether the appointment of commissioners in these cases is made on the recommendation of a selection board; and, if so, whether he will say how the board is constituted and by whom; if the selection of persons to act as commissioners is not made by selection board, whether he will state what steps are taken to ascertain the fitness and suitability of the persons appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Commissioners.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state with reference to the three persons appointed to administer the affairs of the Dublin Board of Public Assistance (a) their respective ages; (b) whether there is a retiring age appropriate to the positions to which they have been appointed, and, if so, what the retiring age is; (c) whether the positions to which they have been appointed are whole-time, and, if so, what arrangements have been made for relieving them of the duties (if any) in which they were engaged prior to their appointment as commissioners, and (d) the period for which they have been appointed.
I propose to take questions 6 and 7 together. The reply to question 6 is in the negative. The selection of a person or per sons to act as commissioner or commissioners for a local authority rests entirely with the Minister. The persons selected by him are chosen by reason of their capacity to discharge the duties of the local authority. There are no statutory conditions as to age or retiring age. The commissioners for the Dublin Board of Assistance are rendering whole-time service. The chairman, who is a civil servant, is being seconded while he is discharging the duties of commissioner. One of the other two members who holds an appointment under the Electricity Supply Board is also being similarly seconded. As regards the period for which the commissioners have been appointed, I would refer the Deputy to Sections 45 to 48 of the Local Government Act, 1941.