asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the number of eligible applicants for appointments to the Garda Síochána; (b) the number of eligible applicants of 5 feet 10 inches and over; (c) the number selected by the commissioner to sit for the forthcoming examination; (d) whether all those selected were 5 feet 10 inches and over; (e) the tests applied by the commissioner to differentiate between eligible applicants and if applicants in that category exceeded the number selected to sit for the examination and (f) the reason for the rejection of candidates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Síochána Applicants.
The number of applicants who appeared to comply with the age and minimum physical requirements was 1,126. Of these 790 were 5 feet 10 inches and over. Only 300 recruits are required, and the commissioner selected 393 applicants to sit for the qualifying educational examination, the additional 93 being to allow for a number failing in the educational or medical test. All those selected are 5 feet 10 inches and over. The commissioner selected the applicants who, in his opinion, are likely to make the best policemen, giving preference to suitable applicants with a good knowledge of Irish and ruling out applicants under 5 feet 10 inches. In assessing the merits of the candidates, he had regard to such matters as their character, standard of education and physique.
I should like to make it clear that the educational examination has always been a qualifying and not a competitive test, and that it has never been the practice to call for the examination all applicants who appear suitable for appointment. There are always far more eligible applicants than vacancies—this time there were nearly three times as many—and unless the selection was to be made in accordance with the markings in the examination, nothing would be gained by calling them all.
There is a Constitution in this State which gives equal rights to all citizens. There were applicants from my constituency with the leaving certificate, being of the full height and the full measurements in every way, their characters guaranteed——
By whom?
By the local T.D.
——by the authorities concerned, namely, the Gardaí; but still the commissioner picks and chooses. I want to know on what particular qualifications people were selected.
Pull.
Every citizen in this State has equal rights, every man's son has equal rights to be called for examination and given a chance. I cannot see, for the life of me, under what regulation the commissioner says "I am going to take Michael, but I will not take John." I wonder what the colour of the commissioner's shirt is; is it a blue one?
Was any regard had to service in the L.D.F. for the purpose of giving candidates who had given such service during the emergency preferential treatment?
Is the Minister aware that quite a number of representations have been made to Deputies, to Deputies on both sides of the House, I am sure, by persons who had applied and who merely got a formal note informing them that their application had been rejected? If so, would the Minister consider suggesting to the commissioner that he should notify the applicants who will not be allowed to sit for examination of the reasons why their application had been rejected? I am not raising this in a contentious spirit, but every Deputy in the House has received representations arising out of the matter, and it would save a great deal of time and trouble if the commissioner himself would communicate with applicants who are not called for examination.
Was any preference given to serving soldiers in the National Army or ex-soldiers?
The Minister has stated that one of the things taken into consideration by the commissioner was the standard of education. I wonder on what basis has the commissioner made his decision in regard to education, because the only method of deciding what the educational qualifications of a candidate are is the examination held for that purpose. I do know that people who held the intermediate certificate honours were turned down and that a person who had only the sixth standard, national school, was allowed to go through.
I could mention two cases. I know one man who was 5 ft. 10 in.; he was a member of the L.D.F.; he had the leaving certificate, but he got just a cursory note saying: "You are not for examination and there will be no further correspondence between you and the commissioner."
Like Deputy Hickey, I could give a case. I know a man wha is 6 ft. 1 in, whose father resigned from the R.I.C. and joined the I.R.A., whose mother was a member of Cumann na mBan, who had the leaving certificate and a reference from the local clergy. Does the Minister realise that the commissioner is turning down people without seeing them or knowing whether they were called? Would it not be better to remove the idea that it is local bias on the part of the local superintendent and sergeant which decides the matter?
Would the Minister say how, out of the 700 whose height exceeded 5 ft. 10 in., the commissioner selected 500 without seeing any of them?
The colour of their shirts.
Mr. Boland
No such thing. The commissioner did his best. Only 300 could be recruited. This is not a competitive examination, and I think that Deputies who consider the thing calmly will admit that it would not be satisfactory to have an educational test on a competitive basis.
Hear, hear!
Mr. Boland
The number of applicants was 1,126. That was a lot more than he wanted. He thought that if he called 90 more than were required, about 390, he would probably get what he wanted. He called 393 out of the 700 who were over 5 feet 10 inches. I had a long talk with him because I know of the feeling on all sides of the House on this matter. I am satisfied that he has done the best he could. He went through every one of the forms himself with an assistant, and examined them as carefully as he could. He gave those who had Irish preference. He said that there were certain parts of the country which have always given a large number of entrants to the Guards, and he picked more men from those counties than from others. He admits that some who were turned down might be as good as those who were called, but that as far as he could he picked the men most likely to make the best Guards. I myself thought that there might be something in the idea of a competitive examination, but having discussed the matter with him and thought it over myself, I am satisfied that it would not be satisfactory. If you called 790 most of them might qualify, and you would have the same trouble of rejecting people who had been brought for examination and had qualified, as you only wanted half that number. Your last condition would be at least as bad as the first.
With regard to the L.D.F. and members of the Army, there is a concession as to age. They can be a little older—I cannot say how much.
It was borne in mind?
Mr. Boland
Yes. I must say that I do not know any better way of doing it. He has statutory authority for recruitment.
Is the Minister not aware that the citizens of this country have a constitutional right?
Mr. Boland
I know they have a constitutional right and that the commissioner has a statutory right to select men.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 34.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the number of applicants for entrance to the Garda Síochána from West Cork; (b) the number of those applicants who compiled with the statutory regulations; (c) the number called for interview, and (d) the reasons for the rejection of those who compiled with the statutory regulations.
Mr. Boland
The total number of applicants from the Garda Division of Cork West Riding was 127.79 appeared to comply with the age and minimum physical requirements and 53 were 5 ft. 10 ins. and over. 16 have been selected to sit for the qualifying educational examination.
I have explained in my answer to the last question why all the applicants who appeared to comply with the age and minimum physical requirements have not been called for the examination.
In view of the Minister's previous statement that he is satisfied that the applicants who were turned down are as eligible as the others, would he not now consider that the procedure adopted was most irregular and unfair to the young men of the country who are entitled to apply for membership to the Garda Síochána? In view of that very definite fact would he now consider giving every candidate who was deemed eligible an opportunity of placing himself before some selection board or another and so afford the commissioner an opportunity of seeing them and of determining which of these candidates are most eligible? Surely the judgment as regards selection should not be made in, apparently, the way it is being made by some microscopic measurement and thus judging candidates who live 200 and 300 miles away from Dublin. There is no justice in that type of procedure and I want to make a protest on behalf of the eligible candidates who were turned down.
Would the Minister consider circulating to the applicants who have not been called up a statement explaining the circumstances under which the selections were made?
Mr. Boland
I do not think that would be desirable. The commissioner went through the list, and I am perfectly satisfied that he did it as fairly and as competently as it could be done. All I can say is that he selected 393 men whom he thought were likely to make good Guards. He went through all the papers, and he had the knowledge from the local sergeant that a man was all right physically.
That is the snag.
Mr. Boland
The applicants, of course, had to fill up forms. One could see, from the manner in which the forms were filled up, I understand from the commissioner, that many of the applicants would have no chance of passing and were not likely to be selected.