asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the reason for the dismissal of Stephen J. Egan, of Newbridge, County Kildare, from his employment as a plumber engaged by the Board of Works at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, and why no reference was given to him on such dismissal, which he could produce on applying for employment elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - A Curragh Discharge.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the reason for the summary dismissal from the Reserve of Stephen J. Egan, of Newbridge, County Kildare, on the 6th June, 1935, while engaged on his annual month's training.
I am taking questions Nos. 8 and 9 in conjunction. Mr. Stephen James Egan was discharged from the Reserve and from his civilian employment with the Corps of Engineers for the reason that his services were no longer required.
Will the Minister say whether this is a further example of dismissing persons not only from the Army but from employment on the sole ground that they have not the same political opinions as the Minister for Defence?
It has got nothing to do with politics.
Arising out of question No. 8, the Minister was asked in the latter paragraph of the question to say why it was that no reference was provided for Mr. Stephen J. Egan. Is the Minister in a position to answer that enquiry?
The Corps of Engineers have never at any time given such references when people are discharged. It has not been the practice in the past to do so.
Will the Department be prepared to give Mr. Egan a letter stating that the reason why he has not received a reference from them is that it has not been the practice of the Department to give references to past employees? Otherwise, naturally, a subsequent employer might believe that the reluctance of the Department to give him a reference was due to some misconduct on his part. A note explaining that his treatment was in no way different from that of any other past employee would remove that suspicion. Would the Minister say if his Department would be prepared to give such a note?
If Mr. Egan makes such an application it will be considered.
Do I understand from the Minister that Mr. Egan was an employee of the Defence Department and not of the Board of Works?
Yes—of the Corps of Engineers.