asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if it is a fact that he has refused sanction to the appointment of Miss Sheila F. O'Dowd to the position of junior clerk to Cavan County Council, who obtained second place at the qualifying examination, she being only one per cent. all round below the highest on the list; and that he also refused sanction to the temporary appointment of Miss Maggie Kelly, who was placed fifth at said examination; and if before refusing his sanction he had given due consideration to the merits of the candidates as disclosed by the examiner's report, and in particular, if he had adverted to the fact that the two candidates appointed by the County Council, whilst being reasonably proficient in all other subjects, scored the highest marks in Irish.

The facts are as stated, except that the appointments to be filled were shorthand typists, not clerks. Neither of the candidates mentioned in the question qualified in or showed any proficiency in shorthand and typewriting.