asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to amend the regulations concerning the civil rights and political freedom of civil servants; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Rights.
37.
Claims on this subject are at present being dealt with under the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this stage.
In view of the fact that this matter has been with the conciliation and arbitration machinery for a very considerable period of time, could I inquire from the Minister if he would be prepared to take a personal initiative in this matter since a Government regulation was introduced by the Minister for Finance originally as far back as 1935? Would the Minister point out that today there is no valid political or social reason why, for example, an ESB worker who goes up an ESB pole can vote in elections, work for a political party and canvass for candidates, while a Post Office linesman who goes up a Post Office pole is debarred from attending a political meeting, speaking for a candidate, attending a meeting of a political party and so on? These are areas of discrimination in which the Minister should be taking the initiative with people concerned in negotiations for public servants.
It is very easy to do the deus ex machina but I think, on the whole, that it is better that these matters should be left to the conciliation and arbitration machinery if possible. I was not aware that on the staff side there was any dissatisfaction at the length of time this matter is taking, but I will inquire into it.