asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of vacancies that have arisen in the Official Reporting Staff of the Oireachtas during the last twelve months; whether it is proposed to fill those vacancies; if so, when, and who is to determine the scales of pay and conditions of service of the new entrants.
Private Notice Questions. - Vacancies in Official Reporting Staff.
Three vacancies on the Official Reporting Staff have arisen during the last twelve months. Applications for the filling of one of these places were invited some months ago, but the competition did not result in any of the candidates then available being appointed. It is proposed to fill the three vacancies on such a scale of pay and conditions of service as are agreed upon between the Ceann Comhairle and the Minister for Finance. Official authority has already been given for approaching the Civil Service Commissioners with a request that they should proceed to fill the vacancies accordingly.
Mr. Hayes
Is the Minister aware that advertisements were issued for two vacancies? Did the Minister say there was an advertisement issued for one vacancy?
For one.
Mr. Hayes
Is it not a fact that the Civil Service Commissioners were to appoint two persons, but that only one person in the end was appointed? Is the Minister aware that there is at the present moment, because of the state of Parliamentary business, a very severe strain upon the reporting staff reporting the debates in the two Houses? Can the Minister say when he expects the vacancies will be filled by suitable persons?
Will the Minister see that a high standard of efficiency will be observed in the selection of candidates?
I presume the Civil Service Commissioners, who will be responsible for making recommendations to me, will see that a high standard of efficiency will be maintained. With regard to the question as to whether one or two vacancies were advertised, I have been advised that applications for the filling of one of the vacancies was invited some time ago. With regard to the question of providing for the present emergency, authority has been given to secure temporary assistance upon what we consider to be very generous and liberal terms.
Mr. Hayes
Is the Minister aware that it is when the two Houses are meeting temporary assistance is least available and the only possible method of doing the work is by the appointment of reporters to the permanent staff?
It is proposed to secure members for the permanent staff through the authorised channel, the Civil Service Commissioners, just the same as every other appointment under the State is filled.
Mr. Hayes
I am not quarrelling with the method of the filling. What has been the cause of the delay during the last three months in filling even one vacancy?
I may inform the Deputy that there was much less delay in dealing with the matter of filling any vacancies since this Government came in than was the case under its predecessor, when vacancies were allowed to remain unfilled for almost twelve months.
Mr. Hayes
Can the Minister say, in view of the fact that the House has been meeting continuously since 9th March, why no effort has been made to fill any of the vacancies on the Reporting Staff?
Every effort has been made to fill the vacancies on the Reporting Staff in accordance with the law.
Mr. Hayes
Is it through the efforts being made to offer such lack of inducement that suitable staff cannot and will not be found?
As the vacancies are not yet advertised, we are not in a position to say whether there will or not. I am advised that the advertisements will attract suitable candidates.
Mr. Hayes
Has the Minister taken any advice on this matter from persons with expert knowledge of Parliamentary reporting?
Deputy Hayes knows as well as I do from whom I take advice in this matter and I am taking the advice from the proper quarter.
I desire to ask the Minister what he means by getting information from the proper quarter? Does he mean that he gets his information from trained journalists? These are the only people who can give him proper or adequate information, in my view.
I do not think I am bound to answer that question.
Order of business.
I desire to give notice that I intend to raise the whole question on the motion for the adjournment. I am not at all satisfied with the answers given by the Minister.
It is most improper to discuss the matter in the Dáil in the manner in which it has been discussed, and I should like to say that I will not be present at the adjournment debate.
Mr. Hayes
In view of the fact that supplementary questions have been allowed by you, sir, as in order, is it correct for the Minister to say that this matter has been discussed improperly?
Am I to take it that the Minister is refusing to be present when this matter is raised on the motion for the adjournment? Does he say he will not be present when the matter is raised to-night? Is that the policy of the present Government? May I have an answer to that question? Has the Minister now stated that he will not remain for the discussion if this matter is raised?
The Minister has so stated.
That was never heard of before!
How many vacancies is it proposed to advertise?
All the vacancies which exist.
Do I understand that means three vacancies?
Order of business.
May I take it that my intention to raise this matter has been noted?
Yes.
That is all right.