Austin Deasy
Question:69 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the appointment of individuals outside his Department to the diplomatic corps. [4393/00]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Corps.
There is now provision, through interdepartmental competition, for civil servants in other Departments to join the Department of Foreign Affairs at the senior level of counsellor. In addition, a number of civil servants seconded from other Departments serve in certain specialist diplomatic posts abroad.
I am satisfied that those arrangements provide the necessary flexibility and ensure the professional nature of the diplomatic service which has, I believe, served the country well. I have no proposals to change the method of recruitment to the service.