asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) what retiral age has been fixed by him in respect of each of the four city managers, and (b) whether he has received a request for an extension or has himself extended the retiring age of any of the four managers in question, and, if so, if he will give particulars in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - City Managers' Retiral Age.
The age of 65 was fixed by Order some years ago as the age limit for all city managers but the Order is not effective due to doubts as to its legality. The question of extending the age limit does not therefore arise.
Arising out of the reply, is it correct that under the 1941 Act the Minister may declare an age for a county manager—for an individual county manager—and would the Minister say if under that Act he is prepared to state an age in the case of the Waterford manager?
The age of 65 was fixed for city managers under an Order dated 30th September, 1946, by the then Minister for Local Government. That Order was made under the powers conferred by Section 23 of the 1941 Act, but I understand certain doubts have arisen as to the legality of the position. If the Deputy would refer to the Local Government Bill, which is now before the Seanad—in fact, it will be considered by the Seanad to-morrow—he will see where I am taking steps to remove any doubts which may exist in that regard.