§ 37. Mr. GINNELLasked what time and opportunity were given to Mrs. Somers, late postmistress at Dalkey, for rebutting the charges made against her by a rival in the service; the date upon which she was informed of the charges; the date upon which her defence was considered; the date of her dismissal; and whether, apart from legal right, it is the practice of the Post Office to dismiss without pension after twenty-three years' satisfactory service?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe charges made against the late sub-postmistress at 269 Dalkey were fully stated to her by an inquiry officer sent from London. The interview took place on the 18th of December last and lasted about half an hour. Mrs. Somers' defence was a denial of the charges. She declined to make any further statement. On the 26th of January she called at the Secretary's Office, General Post Office, Dublin, with her daughter and handed in a statement prepared by the latter. This statement, with all the evidence elicited in the course of the inquiry, was submitted to my predecessor on the 22nd of February last. His decision dismissing Mrs. Somers from the service was given on the same day. Mrs. Somers, as an unestablished sub-postmistress, was ineligible, by the terms of her appointment for a pension under the Superannuation Acts, irrespective of the circumstances under which she might leave the Post Office service.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the practice to dismiss without pension persons with twenty-three years' satisfactory service?
§ Mr. SAMUELI have replied to that point in my answer.