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Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 20 Jul 1923

Vol. 4 No. 14

CIVIL SERVICE REGULATION BILL.—FIRST STAGE.

I ask leave to introduce the Civil Service Regulation Bill to regulate the appointment of persons into the Civil Service of Saorstát Eireann and to establish a Civil Service Commission to control appointments. The Dáil will recollect that on the 8th June I explained the proposals of the Government in regard to the creation of a Civil Service Commission, and undertook at that time to introduce a Bill to put the Commission on a statutory basis. I do not think it necessary now to say more than that the Bill sets up a body of Commissioners to control appointments into the public service, and that a certificate of fitness will be necessary before any person can be given a permanent appointment in the Service. The Bill also gives the Commissioners power, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, to regulate temporary employment in the public service, to regulate the method of selection in the case of certain professional and technical appointments which are of the character requiring selection rather than an educational examination. The Bill lays down for appointments to the general body of clerkships, etc., in the public service the principle of open competitive examinations. I should say that in arriving at the proposals outlined in this Bill the Government has given very careful consideration to the system adopted in other countries. We attach great importance to this Bill, for the Civil Service is the machine through which the government of the country is largely exercised, and in the interests of efficient and impartial administration it is essential that recruitment to the Service should be so regulated as to draw into the ranks only those whose efficiency and character fit them for the important work of State service. I accordingly move for leave to introduce the Bill.

Leave to introduce the Bill granted.

Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 25th July.

May I assume that a Bill of this importance will be taken as the first matter on Wednesday for the Second Stage? Could that be arranged?

There are two Bills now ordered for Second Stage on Wednesday. One is the Superannuation and Pensions Bill, and then there is this Bill. The President may, under the Standing Orders, arrange which is to have priority.

I have no objection to the Civil Service Regulation Bill coming on first on Wednesday.

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