asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if Telefís Éireann are bound by law to advertise under their own name positions vacant and to be filled; and, if not, what positions have been filled without advertisement or after advertisement under a box number or name of an advertising or employment agency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Filling of Telefís Éireann Positions.
20.
The Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, distinguishes between the recruitment of the Authority's servants and officers. Under section 12 (1) of the Act, Radio-Telefís Éireann has complete freedom regarding the recruitment of its servants and I am informed that vacancies for servants are occasionally filled after advertisement under a box number.
So far as officers are concerned, the general rule, under section 12 (1) of the Act, is that a person may not be appointed an officer of the Authority unless he has been selected by means of a public competition. Section 12 (2), as amended by the Act of 1966, provides for certain exceptions to this rule, the most important of which, so far as this question is concerned, are cases where specialised qualifications not commonly held are required, or where appointments are made for periods not exceeding two years. I am informed that two officer posts were advertised recently under the name of a consultancy firm but that no appointment has yet been made. I am in communication with the Authority on the question of whether this method of recruitment is in conformity with the statutory requirements.