§ 63. Mr. O'DONNELLasked, seeing that inspectors under the National Insurance Act in Ireland will be required to deal with Irish speakers, why a knowledge of Irish is not one of the subjects for examination?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is recognised that there are districts in Ireland in which a knowledge of Irish will be indispensable 1655 to officers upon the outdoor staff of the Irish Commission, and this necessity will be borne in mind by the Irish Commissioners in making the appointments.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIf that is so, why is Irish not one of the subjects included in the examination?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe hon. Gentleman knows that the question of the appointment of officials in connection with the Insurance Commission was definitely left to the Commissioners themselves, and not to the Government, and it is perfectly competent for the Commissioners in Ireland to appoint members of the outdoor staff without the Government having anything to say to it.
§ Mr. WILLIAM PEELIs it possible to explain the Insurance Act in Irish?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes; I think that it is being explained at present both in Irish and Gaelic, and with satisfactory results.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLMay I inform the hon. Gentleman that many people understand it much better when explained in Irish than when explained in English?