I move:—" In Section 1, line 15, to delete the words ‘ and includes Gárda Síochána.'"
This amendment has reference to the definition of the expression " civil service " in the Bill. " Civil service," as the section stands, includes the Civic Guard, and, therefore, it makes a Civic Guard an officer of statistics for practically all the purposes of the measure. I do not think that a Civic Guard ought to be a statistical officer for a great many purposes of the Act. There are certain purposes for which the Guards are admirably suitable and ought to be employed. They ought, for instance, to be employed in the distribution of forms and sending them through the post. If this amendment is carried it will necessitate other amendments later on which are down in my name, and which will preserve to the Civic Guard the duties to which, I think, they should be confined. I do not think that it is right that the Civic Guard should act as ordinary statistical officers, with all the powers of asking for information and putting questions. I, therefore, move the amendment.