asked the Minister for Defence whether he approved of the provision in the regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission for the appointment of at least one furniture clerk and at least one assistant furniture clerk in his Department whereby these appointments are confined to retired commissioned officers; whether he will state why discharged soldiers were debarred from eligibility for these appointments, and whether he is aware that this discrimination offends all former members of the Defence Forces; and, if so, whether he will have the regulations cancelled and reissued with this limitation removed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Department of Defence Appointments.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the alteration of the regulations will be considered with regard to future appointments.
Will it be considered in regard to the present appointment?
No.
The Minister is aware that there may not be any future appointments?
The Minister is not a prophet. He is quite aware, as a medical man, that people live and people die and that vacancies arise, in the course of time, through death.