To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether he has received an application from the President of the Prisons Officers' Association, claiming on behalf of the Prisons Officers, a definite announcement as to what the Government's intention is towards those who may be anxious and willing to continue their services, and what are the definite maximum terms which will be given to those who may voluntarily retire, or who may be retired or discharged in consequence of the change of Government. If so, will he now state the nature of the proposed reply. Further, will he say whether it is the intention of the Government to dispense with the services of the existing Prisons Officers, when they have served its purpose during the present critical period, on account of their having been servants of the British Government heretofore.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - PRISON OFFICERS.
An application of the nature indicated has been received through the General Prisons Board. It is not the intention of the Government to dispense with the services of the existing Prison Officers merely because they were servants of the British Government. As regards compensation, any public servant who is discharged or who retires in consequence of the change of Government is entitled under Article 10 of the Treaty to compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920. As already announced in the Dáil, the Government has set up a Committee consisting of two official representatives and two representatives of the staff with an impartial Chairman to advise as to the compensation payable and all matters connected therewith, and I must decline to prejudice the proceedings of that Committee by making any statement of the Government's views on matters yet to be decided by that Committee.