asked the Minister for Labour the qualifications required for a Labour Court conciliation officer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Conciliation Officers.
16.
Labour Court conciliation officers are selected from the officers of the Departments of Labour and Industry and Commerce from the rank of higher executive officer and above. When an officer is required by the Labour Court, selection from these ranks is made having regard to the experience of eligible officers in labour matters and to personal suitability for the post.
Will the Minister indicate the number of female higher executive officers in his Department?
I would not have that information off the cuff.
In his own Department?
I do not carry around details of departmental administration in case I should be asked for them. If the Deputy will put down a question, I shall answer it.
Would the Minister consider it useful to have a female conciliation officer?
I have told some people associated with the Deputy that I am considering the advisability of such an appointment but I have not yet reached a conclusion arising out of all the opinions I have sought.
Is the Minister considering recruiting such officers, with suitable qualifications, from outside the service?
This is a consideration. Conciliation officers are appointed from staffs supplied by this Department only after they have worked in the Labour Court in another post and have satisfactorily demonstrated that they can suitably fill a conciliation appointment.
Are we to understand that it is necessary to have some experience in conciliation or in the work of the Labour Court?
Normally, they are appointed to some post in the Labour Court so as to enable one to find out about their suitability.
Are there any female higher executive officers in the Minister's Department who are interested in becoming conciliation officers?
As has already publicly been announced, I am having this question examined. If I decide that there should be female conciliation officers, then female higher executive officers will be eligible to apply.
Will the Minister at some time lay down the procedure for the appointment of conciliation officers?
I am sure nobody is more aware than the Deputy that by far the most important qualification for a conciliation officer is that of personal suitability, and this cannot be laid down on paper.
How is it checked?
The Labour Court makes appointments from amongst people working in the Labour Court at posts other than that of conciliation officer.
Are there any facilities in the Civil Service to enable people who wish to do so to learn to become conciliation officers?
By getting an appointment in the Labour Court to a post other than that of conciliation officer, they become familiar with the procedures of the court and the court thus becomes familiar with the qualities of the persons and can decide on personal suitability.