Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1970

Vol. 248 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Staff Rule.

91.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will consider removing or modifying Staff Rule 9 (b) iv which governs officers of his Department and post office officials and which states that an officer shall not make any statement in public (or which is liable to be published) and shall not contribute to a newspaper or other publication any letter or article conveying information, comment or criticism on any matter of current political interest or which concerns the political action or position of the Government, or of any Member or group of Members of the Oireachtas.

92.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of people whose careers have been affected by disciplinary action under Staff Rule 9 (b) iv of his Department in the past ten years.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. G. Collins)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together since the two questions are concerned with Post Office Staff Rule 9 (b) (iv).

Staff claims seeking freedom of political expression and action for the members of certain grades are at present being considered under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service. The question of amending the existing rule will be considered in the light of the outcome of those claims.

Disciplinary action has not been taken against any member of the staff for a breach of the rule in question over the past ten years.

Mr. Bruton

Does the Minister not agree that this rule is unnecessarily wide? Is he aware that it could interfere with the uninhibited participation of staff members in the trade union movement particularly at national level and also in parents' associations or any other bodies which might occasionally, only occasionally, have to comment on the position of the Government and if they did so, and if this comment is published they would be liable to disciplinary action under this rule? Would the Minister agree that this is an unnecessarily wide rule?

Mr. G. Collins

I should again like to point out to the Deputy that this matter is under active consideration at the moment and I sincerely hope that we shall have it finalised before long.

Mr. Bruton

How long?

Mr. G. Collins

As quickly as I can possibly do it, and I mean that.

Mr. Tully

Is the Minister aware that this has been under discussion for many years and that there is a large file on it and that unless he takes a personal interest in it it will be left to some other Minister who may not be as anxious to deal with it as he is?

Mr. G. Collins

First, I should like to assure the Deputy that I am very interested personally in this matter and secondly, as far as I am aware—I am open to correction on this—the matter is only being actively considered for the past 14 or 16 months.

Mr. Tully

That is not correct.

Mr. G. Collins

I said as far as I am aware, and I am open to correction on that.

Mr. Tully

I shall take a personal file over to the Minister if he likes to see it to show that it has been going on for ten or 12 years and even before that, I understand.

Mr. Kenneally

Even in the Coalition time?

A Deputy

And in the present Coalition.

(Interruptions.)

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputies should allow Question Time to proceed without interruption.

Mr. Bruton

Would the Minister not agree that cautions, at least, have been administered to various members of the staff for alleged breaches of this rule and that these cautions may have, in some cases, indirectly affected the careers of these people?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.

Mr. Bruton

Would the Minister look into that aspect of the matter?

Mr. G. Collins

Which aspect?

Mr. Bruton

The question of cautions being administered for alleged breaches of this rule as a result of which these people's careers may have been affected?

Mr. G. Collins

I think that the section of Question 92 to which the Deputy is referring has been answered.

Mr. Bruton

The Minister said that no disciplinary action had been taken?

Mr. G. Collins

Quite so. No disciplinary action was taken in that respect in the past ten years.

Mr. Bruton

Would a caution come in under that?

Mr. G. Collins

I think that is a separate question.

Mr. Bruton

Is a caution disciplinary action?

Mr. G. Collins

Does the Deputy think it is?

Mr. Bruton

I am asking the Minister. Is a caution disciplinary action?

Mr. G. Collins

Certainly not.

Mr. Bruton

I am asking the Minister is a caution disciplinary action because I have reason to believe that cautions have been administered and I am afraid that these cautions may have interfered with people's chances of promotion.

Mr. G. Collins

I cannot say that I agree with the Deputy.

Mr. Andrews

Is the Deputy making the case that public servants can criticise Ministers?

Mr. Bruton

I am asking a question.

Mr. Andrews

That is the case the Deputy is making.

Mr. Bruton

I can do without the Parliamentary Secretary's intervention.

Mr. G. Collins

The Minister has answered the question twice.