asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he intends to introduce legislation to change the method of appointment of temporary agricultural instructors.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Agricultural Industries.
22.
Not in this matter specially but, as I informed the Deputy in reply to an earlier question, reorganisation of the Agricultural Advisory Service generally is accepted as necessary and this would involve legislation.
Would the Minister not agree that the method of appointing temporary agricultural instructors is almost exactly the same as that for rate collectors, and as the Government have taken a decision to change that system, surely they should also announce their point of view as regards changing the method of appointment of temporary agricultural instructors?
I have already expressed my point of view on this particular method of selection of temporary officers in the advisory service. The method of selection is very unsatisfactory and ought to be changed.
How long will it take before the Department's point of view will be translated into legislative action?
As I have already said, the reorganisation of the advisory service will require legislation. Also, relevant developments within the EEC itself will have a bearing on the ultimate shape of the advisory services. In that context, at this stage it is not possible to name a day and a date, but I am quite well aware of the urgency that exists for the reorganisation of the service.
Is this heavy cloud of the EEC hanging over everything in this country?
On the contrary, it is my intention to reorganise the advisory service in such a way that it will be a far better service than it ever was before.
I am not making any comment on that, but the Minister himself said reorganisation would await what happens in the EEC.
I did not quite say that. What I did say was that certain conditions that apply in Brussels will have a bearing on the shape of the advisory service we shall ultimately get.
Could the Minister say why he has not seen fit to discuss this matter yet——
The Chair is not allowing any further supplementaries on this question.
——despite a request from that organisation last May?