asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether there is any understanding between the States' Members of the League of Nations as to the proportion of Nationals of each State Member to be employed on the permanent staff of the League and the International Labour Bureau, and what is the number of Irish Free State citizens employed on the permanent staff of those two institutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - League of Nations Staff.
According to Article 6 of the Covenant of the League of Nations the secretaries and staff of the Secretariat of the League are appointed by the Secretary-General with the approval of the Council. No restriction (except approval by the Council) is placed on the Secretary-General's power in the matter of appointments and no definite rule in the matter of the proportion of nationalities to be employed has been laid down by the Assembly. In accordance, however, with the desire of the Assembly, the Secretary-General has stated that he would endeavour to ensure an equitable distribution of nationalities within the Secretariat, having regard always to the competence of officials for particular posts.
According to the latest returns there are at present thirteen Irish officials on the staff of the Secretariat.
With regard to the International Labour Office, the Director of that Organisation is, under Article 395 of the Treaty of Versailles, responsible for all appointments to the staff and is bound to select persons of different nationalities, so far as this is possible with due regard to the efficiency of the work of the Office. At the present time, there are five Irish Officials on the staff, including one Chief of Division. Two members of the female staff who were recruited as Irishwomen have acquired other nationalities by marriage.
May I ask the Minister whether "Irish" in that connotation means "Irish Free State" or Irish Free State and Northern Ireland?
It means "Irish."
What is the legal definition of that term?
Does the Minister refer to the Irish Free State in this matter?
No.