asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the following regarding the appointment of a postman at Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, County Roscommon: (a) the number of applicants for the post; (b) the necessary requirements for the post; (c) how the post was allocated; (d) the form the interview took; and (e) by whom it was conducted.

(a) Four persons were nominated by the local employment exchange in response to a request by the acting head postmaster. (b) Applicants for appointment as auxiliary postmen must be between 18 and 65 years of age and have an adequate standard of education; they must be in good health and of suitable physique to perform the duties involved, be practised cyclists and live within a reasonable distance from the office of employment. (c) The post was allocated to the candidate who was regarded as the most suitable. (d) and (e) The interview, the purpose of which was to ascertain the claims and qualifications of candidates, was conducted by the acting head postmaster.

Is membership of Fianna Fáil a qualification?

Not always.

Could the Minister tell me how applicants were interviewed and where the successful applicant was placed by the interview board?

All four were nominated by the employment exchange.

Four?

Four passed the examination and one was appointed.

(Cavan-Monaghan): How many were interviewed?

I asked the Minister where the successful applicant was placed by the interview board. Is it not true that the successful applicant was not placed first or second and that the Minister brushed aside the board's recommendation? Is that not true?

Not so.

Instead of appointing an unemployed man, the Minister appointed a man who is a publican and a contractor, despite the fact that a small farmer with a large family had done temporary work for over four years and there was no complaint against him.

The Deputy is giving information. He should ask a question.

The Minister should be ashamed of himself.

I am asking is it not true that the man who got the position is a publican and a contractor. He was not placed first or second by the interview board. Further is it not true that the Minister ruthlessly wiped out the decision of the interview board?

To explain to the Deputy who came in on this subject very late——

Just in time.

Four people were nominated by the local employment exchange.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Were they all interviewed?

This man is a publican and a contractor——

Would the Deputy please listen to what I have to say? The four passed the test. One was selected and that one is not a publican.

Was there a panel?

I asked was he placed first or second?

This is a final supplementary.

Does the Minister agree that this was a case of blatant political patronage and jobbery of a high order?

I totally disagree with all the allegations made by Deputy L'Estrange, who seems to be on an errand on behalf of a Deputy who did not come into the House.

I am on no errand except to get the truth from the Minister.

I have given the Deputy the truth.

Question No. 37 is for written reply.

The Minister has not yet told us whether he was placed first or second.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Was the successful applicant in receipt of unemployment assistance or benefit?

The successful applicant was sent from the local employment exchange.

Answer the question.

He is not a publican——

Question No. 38.

(Cavan-Monaghan): He could have registered the day before.

Will the Minister answer Question No. 38?

He is a publican. This is blatant corruption. The Minister is filling the semi-State bodies, the Garda and the Army with Fianna Fáil thugs. He is continuing with the political jobbery and corruption, which Fianna Fáil are well used to. Nowhere is it worse than in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

The Deputy is coming in here to do his dirty work.

We do not do things like that.

People who were placed 17th and 18th on panels were called first. They advertised for ten and they called people who were placed 17th and 18th because they were Fianna Fáil supporters.

Will the Minister reply to Question No. 38?

Three jobs for one man.

Will the Minister obey the Chair and answer the question?

(Cavan-Monaghan): The unions made the Minister take the people they recommended.

No.