asked the Minister for Local Government if any decision has been arrived at in the case of a rate collector, who was suspended, over two years ago, by the Dublin County Council.

The commissioner for the county council has accepted the resignation of the rate collector referred to and has the question of his superannuation under consideration.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the date when he was suspended, the reason of the suspension, and why his case is now being considered for superannuation?

Mr. Nugent was suspended by order of the county commissioner on the 21st October, 1943. There was a great deal of investigation and correspondence ensued over a long period. His resignation has now been accepted.

It took four years for the Department to consider the suspension of this man.

Will the Deputy say if he has a supplementary question to ask?

Why did it take four years after the man was suspended to come to the conclusion that he should be given a pension?

There were considerable delays and there was quite a lengthy correspondence.

This rate collector who was suspended was not too fond of Ireland.

That matter does not arise.