asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that there is equal opportunity for ban ghardaí in relation to promotion and detective work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ban-Gharda Promotion.
32.
Cavan)(for the Minister for Justice): The assignment of duties to particular members or groups of members of the force is a matter for the Commissioner and his officers.
At present there are five ban sáirsintí and 25 ban-ghardaí. The Commissioner has informed the Minister that the strength of the Ban-Gharda units as deployed does not warrant the appointment of a banchigire and that, while ban-ghardaí have been detailed for plain clothes duty, the necessity for a permanent appointment of a ban-gharda to the Detective Branch has not arisen.
How can the Minister reconcile his answer with the declaration on both sides of the House to try to get equal opportunities for persons regardless of sex or creed? Would he consider asking the Commissioner to abide by the principles of equal opportunity because there is a feeling amongst some ban-ghardaí that there is sex discrimination operating against them in these matters?
(Cavan): As I have stated in the reply, the assignment of duties is a matter for the Commissioner and he assigns these duties in order to get the best results from the force.
Surely a matter of policy is for the Minister as distinct from the Commissioner?
(Cavan): The details of assignments and allocation of the force are matters for the Commissioner.
The Commissioner must carry out the stated policy.