The House will recollect that last night I was dealing with the position in regard to the people who comprise the selection board at a meeting of which directions were given in relation to Laois Vocational Committee. I pointed out that the committee comprises one member of the Irish Vocational Education Association, two inspectors from the Department of Education, and Councillor Thomas Keenan, who has been a member of Laois County Council for approximately 21 years. Another member is the Minister for Defence, Deputy Oliver J. Flanagan, who has been a representative of the constituency of Laois-Offaly for over 30 years. Another member is Councillor Fleming, whom I have known for many years. The seventh person on the committee is Canon Grey.
I am sure that the representatives of the IVEA will be only motivated with ensuring that the best possible person is selected to fill the appointment. The two representatives of the Department of Education, I am convinced, will act in a completely impartial manner. Councillor Thomas Keenan is a hardworking, dedicated public representative who I am certain has acted according to his conscience in making this selection which is the subject of the motion before the House. The people of Laois Offaly in electing Deputy Flanagan for so many years have indicated their high opinion of him and I am certain that Councillor Fleming acted with the best motives. Canon Grey is not a member of the Fine Gael Party so no matter how one looks at it there are four ordinary members as against three politicians. I would like Deputy Lalor to put on the record of the House whether or not he doubts the integrity or the honesty of Canon Grey. From what the Deputy stated last night it seems that he questions the Canon's honesty and integrity. The Deputy should put on the record of the House the motivations he attributes to the three politicians who are members of the Committee, and the motives he attributes to the four non-politicians. There has been a tremendous amount of confusion created by this request for a public inquiry by Deputy Lalor. It got widespread publicity and the matter should be further clarified by the Deputy. The record should also show that Mr. Parsons is a fully-qualified teacher. This appears to have escaped the notice of some people. The judgment of Judge McWilliam on page 3 says:
On receipt of this letter, the Committee obtained counsel's advice as to whether the provisions of clause 12 (b) of the Memo were mandatory or not and was advised that the provisions were merely a recommendation and, at a meeting of 10th June, 1974, proceeded to appoint Michael Parsons to the post as and from 1st September 1974.
The point is that counsel advised the committee that Memorandum V.7. was merely a recommendation.