asked the Minister for Defence when the method of awarding cadetships in the Permanent Defence Force as outlined in a reply of 11th November, 1959, was introduced; if this method is embodied in a Defence Force regulation; how, and by what person or body, the order of merit of candidates is determined; and if the order of merit is strictly adhered to in making the appointments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Cadetships.
18.
The present method of awarding cadetships in the Permanent Defence Force has been in operation since August, 1957. It is embodied in Defence Force Regulation A.4.
As indicated in my reply of 11th November, 1959, the order of merit of candidates is determined by the combined total of marks obtained as a result of examination by the Interview Board appointed by the Chief of Staff and in the Oral Irish Test conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners.
Appointments have been made as a result of five Competitions for Cadetships viz., two for the Army, two for the Air Corps and one for the Naval Service, held since I became Minister for Defence and the order of merit has been strictly adhered to in all five cases.
The Minister referred to the combined total of marks as a result of the examination of the interview board and the oral Irish test carried out by the Civil Service. Would he state who adds the two results to provide the combined marks to which he referred? Is it not a fact that the interview board do not do it but that they submit their list and it is the Minister who adds the marks he receives as a result of the oral Irish test?
There are two interview boards and the combined marks are totalled in the Secretariat of the Department of Defence.
Could the Minister say what was the reason for changing the system that had been in force up to 1957?
I decided it was desirable to bring it into line with the general practice of the Civil Service Commissioners?
What was the reason?
That would be a separate question.
I have already told the Deputy. I wanted to bring it into line with the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners.
What is the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners?
The practice of combining the total of the marks in the two separate tests, which I think was a very reasonable thing to do.
Is the Minister saying that the oral test is carried out by the Civil Service Commissioners or by another board appointed by him?
By a Board appointed by the Civil Service Commissioners, not by me. The places are awarded strictly on merit now. We do not take the 51st in the unsuitable list for one of the places. That is the main change.
The Minister can ask his colleagues to examine their consciences about that. I have no need to examine my conscience on it.
The Deputy may make inquiries on his own side of the House as to when that happened.
I am inviting the Minister to ask his colleagues. He can have a sworn enquiry if he likes.
The 51st in the unsuitable list is not selected now.
There is something wrong.
On a point of public importance, is the Minister to be allowed to make and repeat what in my opinion is a very serious charge against a former Minister—I am not concerned who he is—that the worst possible candidate was selected for particular positions? Is that to be allowed to pass without a sworn investigation as to its accuracy?
That is not a matter for the Chair. Such charges are frequently made in the House.
But not repeated several times as the Minister has done. I am not taking any sides but I want to find out if the charge is accurate.
Ceist 19.
Is there any substantiation for the charge?
This is a matter for the Taoiseach to take up with his Minister.
I have called Question 19.