asked the Minister for the Public Service if his attention has been drawn to an article in an Irish journal (details supplied) which alleges that clerical workers from the public service frequently absent themselves from work surreptitiously to take up employment on the Tote at race meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Clerical Workers.
28.
Mr. Kenny
The answer to the first part of the question is "yes".
I am not aware that civil servants irregularly absent themselves from duty to work at race meetings. If, however, evidence in support of this allegation is furnished, I will have it investigated.
As regards other categories of public servants, the appropriate Minister or other authority concerned would, I am sure, act similarly.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider using the effective information service that is available to the Government to ascertain whether this damning article contained any semblance of fact?
Mr. Kenny
The matter can be investigated but the question is whether there is any semblance of fact in it.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the information service available to the Government would be better employed dealing with articles of this kind, in the interest of allaying public anxiety?
That would be enlarging on the question.
Mr. Kenny
Are articles that appear in such a publication authentic?
It is a very reputable journal.
Question No. 29.
Mr. Kenny
I understand it is; I am not saying anything about the reputation of the journal. But is it the truth?
That is what I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary to tell me.
Mr. Kenny
I shall give the Deputy the information I have at my disposal here, just to get at the truth. The relevant extract from the publication of 30th May, 1975 alleges that, of the clerical workers employed by the Racing Board from the Public Service and insurance and banking businesses —and this is the statement—
On racing days some will be on leave, others on casual sick days, privilege leave days or simply absent from work. 87 civil servants are employed by the Racing Board on a casual basis, along with 15 teachers, 13 members of the Garda Síochána and one member of the Defence Forces.
So the article is true.
Mr. Kenny
It is not—I withdraw that—it may be.
There is no objection to a civil servant taking part-time employment with the Racing Board provided it does not interfere with his official duties. Of course what would obviously be irregular would be his absenting himself from his official duties under the guise of sick leave. Civil servants are allowed up to seven days' uncertified sick leave in a year. If an absent officer were to send in a note without a medical certificate indicating that he was unwell, we ordinarily
—that would be the Civil Service—
would have to accept the veracity of the statement. At present we have no evidence that in fact members of the Civil Service frequently absent themselves surreptitiously to take up employment at race meetings.
That is all the information I have at my disposal.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary anything to say about the Mafia-like system of employment engaged in by such public servants?
Question No. 29.
Mr. Kenny
The only Mafia of which I am aware was in Donegal and is now perhaps in west Cork.
That is far too serious an item for the Parliamentary Secretary to treat in such a frivolous fashion.
Mr. Kenny
I am not treating it in a frivolous fashion.
A responsible journal has brought to the notice of people——
Mr. Kenny
I did not say it was irresponsible.
But the Parliamentary Secretary is making a joke of it.
Mr. Kenny
I am not; I am telling the Deputy the truth.
The Parliamentary Secretary is making a joke of it.
Mr. Kenny
I am giving Deputies all the information I have at my disposal and I have answered Deputy Crowley also.
Question No. 29.
On the general import of the Parliamentary Secretary's answer I would now ask him: does he approve of persons holding two jobs at a time when there are over 100,000 people unemployed?
That would be a separate question. Question No. 29.
Mr. Kenny
Shall I answer that one, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle?
The Parliamentary Secretary to answer Question No. 29.
If the Parliamentary Secretary wants to reply to me surely the Leas-Cheann Comhairle should allow him.
Question No. 29.
I often heard the Leas-Cheann Comhairle say in this House that he could not force a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary to reply.