Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
60 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the timescale for the decentralisation of the Civil Defence Board; the position with regard to the chairpersonship and board membership of the Civil Defence Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18028/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided to decentralise the Civil Defence branch of my Department to Roscrea, County Tipperary. I expect that the move will take place later this year. On 4 May 2004, I wrote to the Chairman of the Civil Defence Board regarding his position. A response has been received within the past few days. I will consider the response at the earliest opportunity but pending such consideration it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the issues involved at this stage.
A month ago the Minister indicated in the Dáil that he was involved in a course of action regarding the position of the Chairman of the Civil Defence Board and that he had strong reasons for adopting such a course and hoped to bring the matter to a conclusion within the next two weeks, which would have been a fortnight ago. The Minister has now received a response from the chairman or his legal representatives. When does the Minister expect to bring this matter to a conclusion, as he intended doing a month ago, when he expected it would be settled by now? Has he run into further difficulties not envisaged a month ago?
I have not run into difficulties and I have no reason to change my mind except that the chairman told me that he would be unable to answer my questions as he was taking two weeks holidays. I gave him a further week to enable him to reply to the questions. It seemed fair that I should take account of his holidays and give him some extra time. That time expired a few days ago and the reply has just reached my Department.
The Minister adopted a course of action regarding the chairman, does he want his resignation?
I indicated to the chairman why I felt it necessary to ask him to terminate his office. He has an opportunity to answer the various queries which have been raised and that process is under way.
To seek the resignation of the chairman of any board, particularly one appointed by the Minister, is a very serious matter. I can recall it happening only once or twice in my 20 odd years in the Dáil. Will the Minister elaborate to the House, which is entitled to know, what grievous omissions or activities of the chairman have led to this request for his resignation? He is by all accounts a highly qualified man, he had close associations with the Minister and, without being political, with his party. The House should be told the reasons these drastic steps are being taken.
I do not have a close association with the chairman. I do my job without fear or favour. I have grave reasons for taking this action and all that information will ultimately be available to the House. However, the process of fair play for the individual concerned should give him the fullest possible opportunity to answer the queries I have raised, and that should be done privately before the matter is debated in public. When the Deputy considers his question he will agree that were he here he would do the same. Asking anyone to tender his or her resignation is a serious matter which I would not undertake lightly.
