asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (i) the number of milling inspectors presently employed by his Department; (ii) if these are permanent pensionable positions; (iii) the salaries paid to these officers; (iv) if any of these have been appointed since February, 1948; (v) the names of those appointed; (vi) the method by which the appointments were made, and (vii) if a practical experience of milling was an essential qualification; and, further, if he will state what was the extent of such experience of those recently appointed and where this experience was gained.

The replies to the Deputy's inquiries are as follows:—

Was it considered that Mr. O'Hanlon had the experience set out in the advertisement?

Yes.

Could the Minister say where he secured that experience?

If the Deputy will put down a question, I am sure I can give him the information.

I have already asked the question.

As to where he procured the experience? The answer furnished to me is:—

"The officer appointed had the requisite qualifications, gained in the service of an Irish milling firm."

Would the Minister say what Irish milling firm?

I am not in a position to do that at the moment, but if the Deputy will put down a question to that effect and I have the information at my disposal I shall be glad to give it to him.

Is it not a fact that in the question I have asked the Minister to say if a practical experience of milling was an essential qualification and if he will state what was the extent of such experience of those recently appointed and where this experience was gained?

And the answer was:

"The officer appointed had the requisite qualifications, gained in the service of an Irish milling firm."

There is not the slightest necessity for any mystery. If the Deputy wants the name of the firm and the whereabouts of the firm and the directors of the firm, if he will put down a question to that effect and it is permissible for me within the Civil Service regulations to give the information to him, I will be delighted to give it to him.

Is it not a fact that this person had no experience whatever?

No, it is not.

Other than the fact that he was a commercial traveller?

No.

The Deputy did not ask for any information except that in the question he put down.

But I have asked where this experience was gained. Surely that is a direct question.

Yes.

Where?

The answer is:—

"The qualifications set out in the advertisement included, inter alia, a good knowledge of flour milling. The officer appointed had the requisite qualifications, gained in the service of an Irish milling firm.”

Deputy Smith apparently wants to know what milling firm; let him put down a question to that effect and I will answer him with a heart and a half.