Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - British Civil Service Recruitment.

Tony Gregory

Question:

169 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the steps taken in June 1996 by the British Government to prevent Irish citizens taking up public service posts in the British Civil Service is being raised with the British Government; and the progress, if any, made in this regard. [11835/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

The British Government announced on 1 March 1996 that it would be making changes to the Civil Service nationality rules from 1 June 1996. The changes removed the "Irish and Commonwealth preference" and placed Irish, Commonwealth and other European Economic Area (EEA) nationals on an equal footing with regard to future recruitment to the UK Civil Service. The changes did not affect the position of Irish and Commonwealth citizens already in post.

This issue was raised with the British Government at that time, through our Embassy in London and through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. The British side indicated that they had introduced these changes to guard against challenges in the European Court by nationals from other EEA contries, who might claim that the provision for Irish and Commonwealth citizens discriminated against them. They also stated that the effect of the changes was to restrict access by Irish citizens to some posts but that they would continue to be eligible for some 75 per cent of total Civil Service posts.

I am aware of the concern which has been expressed about this change, including by the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain, and this concern has been conveyed to the British authorities.

I understand that the British Government may be considering the introduction of new legislative arrangements in the future regarding Civil Service nationality rules. In this context, and in consultation with the Department of Finance which is the responsible Department in this jurisdiction, we will continue our consultations on the issue with the British authorities.