I move the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable the House to take the Fourth Stage of the Civil Service Regulation Bill.
SEANAD RESUMES. - CIVIL SERVICE REGULATION BILL.—FINAL STAGES.
Question put and agreed to.
Motion made that the Bill be received for final consideration.
We are all aware even at the risk of very frequently calling attention to the same matter, that a great many corruptions have existed in the country with reference to local elections. I notice in the marginal note to clause 8 of this Bill a statement that the Commissioners are to hold examinations for army, police and county surveyorships if required. In my opinion and in the opinion of a great many other people those words "if required" should be taken out. I would suggest that we add to Section 8 that all appointments to the engineering surveying, higher clerical, or medical staffs of all local bodies shall be filled by the Civil Service Commissioners by competitive examination. I think I need say nothing to recommend it. I know that a great many members of the Seanad agree with the views that are embodied in this proposal. I do not know whether the Minister would see his way to accept it or not, but I move it.
I have much pleasure in seconding the proposal. I take it that all appointments for the general services of the country would be made as a result of public examination, by this Board set up for that purpose.
I would like to say, Sir, that this matter of examinations for County Surveyorships is sufficiently provided for by Statutes, already in operation, and there need be no misgiving whatever regarding future appointments to the position of County Surveyor. I indicated in the Dáil that pending the passing of this Act and the setting up of those Civil Service Commissioners that owing to the fact that some three or four vacancies existed amongst the various County Councils for the position of County Surveyors I intend to ask the Civil Service Commissioners to hold examinations for these positions.
With regard to the larger question that is raised by Senator Barrington, we are impressed with the desirability of getting to the point he wishes, but we do not think it wise to include what I might call an omnibus clause which ought to have and will get ultimately, perhaps very shortly, considerable support from various parts of the country. Rates are raised by those local bodies; they are raised at the instance and through the acts of the various members of those local bodies, and if we were to lay down a hard and fast rule with regard to this matter without any cooperation from them, it would be to some extent interfering with them in their work. We admit that the State contributes a very considerable sum of money annually towards Local Government. They have had this prescriptive patronage, we may call it. During the two or three years that the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann functioned it endeavoured, and it actually insisted in a great many cases, on having such examinations held for such appointments. Dealing with the matter in detail and seeing how far it would be possible to make a success of examinations of this sort we do not think it would be wise to insert words here making it mandatory.
Various schemes have been suggested and various suggestions have been made as to how best a scheme for Civil Service for local authorities could be adapted to the needs of the country. We know that the officials of those bodies vary in number and in the quality of the work they have to do. Without considering that, and arranging for a regular code of examinations, perhaps a code of promotion, and so on, I do not think that the purpose the Senator has in mind would be suited by this omnibus clause. As regards the necessity for it, I hope the appreciation of its necessity by the local authorities will be such that we will be able to get agreement ultimately, and that it will be the subject of consideration for another Bill. It will then be fairly well threshed out.
In view of what the President has said, I withdraw the amendment, but as the proposer of it perhaps I might say this. I am afraid if the President is going to wait for a request to come from the local bodies to do away with their own patronage, we will be waiting until Tibb's Eve.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Question: "That the Bill be received for final consideration," put and agreed to.
Motion made and question put: "That the Bill be now passed."
Agreed.