asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the Cork County Council decided to increase the salaries of its officials on a flat rate basis and the county manager refused to accept the decision and proposed an increase of salaries on a percentage basis and, if so, whether, in view of this unwarranted modification of the terms of a resolution made by the county council pursuant to its Standing Orders, he will sanction the county council's proposals in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salaries of County Council Officials.
I am not so aware. No proposal for the award of increases in salary to officers of Cork County Council has been received in my Department. The legal position is that a proposal may not be submitted by the manager for the sanction of the Minister, without the consent of the council, and, unless and until a proposal is submitted by the manager with the consent of the council I have no power to sanction any increase. The council cannot require the manager to submit a proposal in regard to the remuneration of officers or servants.
Is the Minister aware that in this case the manager did look for the council's opinion on the matter before any decision was taken and that a proposal on a percentage basis was put up as against a proposal of a flat increase of 12/6 per week? The proposal of 12/6 per week was carried by a majority of the council and the manager then rejected that proposal and adopted the percentage proposal. Is the manager entitled to increase in this manner his own salary against the wishes of the council?
The Deputy evidently is not aware of the legal position. He is still sitting on that old bridge below the town. The position is that only the manager may initiate a proposal for an increase in salary or wages to servants or officers. The council has the right to veto such a proposal, but they have no right in themselves to initiate a proposal to increase salary or wages.
The manager, therefore, wasted the time of the council when he submitted this matter to the council in the first instance.
He is bound to submit it to the council for their sanction, or otherwise.
He did not submit any proposal.
I was not there, so I cannot tell you.
I am telling the Minister now. He did not submit any proposal to the council. He asked the council's opinion as between two proposals. There was a proposal brought in for an increase on a percentage basis. There was another proposal brought in for an increase of 12/6 per week. The council decided in favour of the 12/6 and that decision was rejected by the manager, who then brought in a managerial order under which his salary is increased over and above the salary given him by the council.
Has the Deputy a supplementary question to put?
He is making a complaint against the county council.
I want to know what action the Minister is going to take in this matter.
I would refer the Deputy to the County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955.
Will the Minister then consider the surcharging of the manager under that Act for the waste of time in bringing men from all over the County of Cork to consider proposals?
I will await the auditor's report.
In view of the fact that the county manager put this recommendation before the council and that the council gave a majority vote, should it not be expected of the manager, having asked the council for their opinion and having received it, that he in turn should submit it for the sanction of the Minister?
He has complete discretion in the matter.
It is grand to hear about the local autonomy we got.
I wish you would take advantage of it. Then things would be different.