asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that when vacancies arose for control officers, permanent and temporary, under his Department a number of sergeant pilots now on reserve applied for these posts and were interviewed; that they were fully qualified with five years' experience of control operations and were conversant with international air legislation; whether it is a fact that although their commanding officer testified that they were capable of filling those positions the vacancies were filled a few months ago by other men while Irish Army pilots are still unemployed; finally, if the Minister will state if any of these posts are filled by ex-members of the Royal Air Force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Control Officers.
Vacancies for air traffic control officers in my Department are normally filled through competitions conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners. Appointments from these competitions are made by me on recommendations made by the commissioners.
An open competition for permanent and temporary posts of air traffic control officer grade III, was held by the commissioners in the period from 27th January, 1948, to 10th February, 1948, under regulations announced on the 15th October, 1947. In this competition extra marks were given to candidates with approved service in the Defence Forces.
I have appointed to permanent posts six candidates who were recommended by the commissioners as a result of this competition, all of whom formerly served in the British Air Force.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these highly trained, technical men who served this country during the emergency, are deprived of any opportunity to secure employment here? Some of them who emigrated were able to obtain the highest positions in other countries, and why is it they were not found suitable by the people here? Men who served in the Royal Air Force are brought over to get these jobs.
This competition was not confined to Irish nationals. A previous competition, which was confined to Irish nationals, did not produce candidates either of the standard or of the number required. In this particular competition some of the successful candidates were probably Irish nationals. Some of the unsuccessful candidates who were regarded as suitable, but who had not the same high marks as the successful ones, were Irish nationals.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware, with regard to the previous sets of examinations to which he refers, that there were certain sergeant pilots concerned, and these sergeant pilots, under their terms of employment, were not released to sit for the examinations and, where they were able to get positions abroad, they had, in fact, to buy themselves out at very high cost; they realised there was no future for them here, because of the way this matter was being administered?
That supplementary question should be addressed to the Minister for Defence.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that these men were recommended by the O.C. as fit and fully qualified to take up these posts?
As I stated in the reply, the appointments were made after a competition conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners. They conduct the examinations and whatever requirements they lay down must be fulfilled. The Minister makes the appointments only on their recommendations.
Apparently they were confined to the Royal Air Force.
Not necessarily, and I will remind the Deputy that these regulations were laid down by my predecessor.
I do not care who laid them down.