asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will arrange with the Electricity Supply Board and Bord na Móna to have special consideration given to applicants for work at the power station near Portarlington, who have had service in the I.R.A. and the Defence Forces, and if he will state (i) whether representations have been made to him on behalf of such applicants, and (ii) what preference is at present given to such applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment at Portarlington Power Station.
Employment at the power station to which the Deputy refers is a matter solely for the Electricity Supply Board. Representations have been made to me for the grant of a preference in favour of applicants with the service mentioned in the question, and I have been informed by the Electricity Supply Board that, other things being equal regarding qualifications, preference is extended to applicants with satisfactory service during the emergency period in the Defence Forces and in the auxiliary defence organisations. The preference is not granted to applicants with any other service.
Does that mean that no preference will be given to a person who has had I.R.A. service or who had Army service prior to the emergency?
Is the Minister aware that only one I.R.A. man has applied for work at this place?
The Minister has stated that he has no jurisdiction in the matter.
And he is quite right.