§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will say for what positions an examination was held on July 27th, in the Albert College, Glasnevin, by the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; the names of the candidates who presented themselves for examination, their religion, and nationality; whether the competition was an open one; and whether advertisements were inserted in the Irish papers announcing the competition; and, if so, would he state in what papers.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThis examination was held to test the fitness of persons for employment as agricultural instructors. The number of qualified Irishmen is at present insufficient to meet the demands of county committees, some of whom were unwilling to wait until those Irish students now in training should become qualified. The Department, therefore, held the examination to ascertain whether the qualifications of persons who were recently awarded the National Diploma in Agriculture were such as to enable the Department to approve of their employment in the event of any of the county committees offering them employment. The number of persons who submitted themselves for examination was nine. The Department 955 have no knowledge of their religion, or of their nationality, save that they reside in Great Britain. The examination was not competitive, and no advertisements were issued.
§ MR. NANNETTIWhy have men been brought over from England to fill these appointments? Why not give Irishmen an opportunity of competing for them?
§ MR. WALTER LONGWe have made every effort to get the beat men as instructors. After all, the actual appointments rest with the county committees.
§ MR. NANNETTIIs it not the fact that there is only one Irishman on the whole teaching staff?
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Department had to go further afield because there were not a sufficient number of qualified Irishmen for this special purpose.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYAnd there never will be under English rule.