asked the Minister for Local Government whether a psychiatric nurse in a health authority hospital is eligible to stand as a candidate for a local authority concerned with such a hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of Local Authorities.
18.
I would refer the Deputy to the provisions of sub-articles (4) (d) and (6) of article 12 of the Schedule to the Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898, which disqualify a person for election to a local authority if he holds any paid office (other than the office of mayor) or place of profit under or in the gift or disposal of the local authority or any committee of, or joint committee partly appointed by, the local authority.
May I take it then that a psychiatric nurse of the type mentioned in the question would be disqualified? Or is it that the Department is unable to make up its mind and is asking other people to interpret the Act?
It is a question of the interpretation of article 12 of the Schedule to the Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, which I mentioned, and that interpretation would be made by the returning officer.
That is what I thought.