asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether an appointment has been made in the sub-post office at Ballyfermot Upper; and if so, if he will state (a) the name and address of the sub-postmaster and the date of his appointment, (b) the number of applicants interviewed for this post and (c) the name and address of the rated occupier and legal owner of the premises in which the sub-post office is located.

The answers to the three parts of the question are: (a) Mr. M. Delaney has been appointed and took up duty on 21st April. His address is Upper Ballyfermot sub-Post Office, 349, Ballyfermot Road Upper; (b) there was only the one applicant and he was interviewed; (c) Mr. Annraoi Ó Beoláin, 13, Dame Street, is the rated occupier.

Is it a fact that the only qualification the new postmaster has is that he is a relation to the former postmaster who is now the Acting Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?

That is untrue. He is no relation of mine. I hope Deputy Murphy will inform his principal in the matter, Deputy McQuillan, of the fact that there was only one applicant for this position and that he was appointed. Perhaps it is desired by Deputy Murphy that the people of Upper Ballyfermot should be left without the services provided by a sub-post office?

Some of them have had to remain out in the rain while waiting to collect their children's allowances, and so on, while the Minister was there as postmaster.

By what manner of means did the Minister arrive at the deduction that I had something to do with it?

He happens to know.

It was a simple matter.

As far as I can see, there must be something on the Minister's conscience.