asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state with respect to any State or semi-State body under the aegis of his Department, whether employment therein is dependent on a working knowledge of the Irish language; if so, the reason for such requirement; and in the interests of détente with that part of the Irish community which does not have an affection for the Irish language or may not have had an opportunity of acquiring an adequate knowledge of it, if he will take steps to remove the requirement particularly in respect of persons from Northern Ireland; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Irish Language Qualification.
43.
There is statutory provision dating from 1924 that entry to the CIE clerical grades shall be by means of open competitions in which Irish is a compulsory subject. Amending legislation in this regard is not under contemplation at the present time, but I will give consideration to the Deputy's suggestion that steps be taken to modify the requirement.
As regards the other bodies under the aegis of my Department there is no statutory requirement in relation to a working knowledge of Irish.
If there be no statutory requirement, is there in practice a requirement relating to the Electricity Supply Board?
No.
The Minister is satisfied about that?
Yes.
Would the Minister have regard to the fact that this restriction, even in relation to the transport authority, is tantamount to legislation which exists in Northern Ireland to prevent people from the Republic working there and that, as a consequence of having a statutory restriction here, people in the North of Ireland who do not have facilities available to them to learn Irish, are precluded from employment in a national concern?
I understand that the whole area referred to by the Deputy is under consideration at the moment by my colleague, the Minister for Finance.