asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the Director of Stamping, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, reached his retiring age in May, 1936, that his service has been extended for one year on two occasions since that date and that he is still retained in the service, and if the Minister will consider the strict enforcement of the age rule in the case of civil servants who are entitled to full pensions.

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. The rule under which an established civil servant is normally required to retire finally at 65 years of age must always be applied with due regard to considerations affecting the public interest, and where such considerations arise it is not considered desirable that the rule should be strictly enforced.

Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, would he say what public interest is involted in this particular case?

The public interest as certified by the Revenue Commissioners and agreed to by the Government.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what aspect of the public interest is involved in retaining the Director of Stamping in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners? Is it that this officer is irreplaceable?

No human being is irreplaceable.

I again ask the Parliamentary Secretary to say what aspect of the public interest he thinks is involved in this particular case?

The public interest as certified by the Revenue Commissioners.

They do not certify the public interest.