asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many of the staff of the First and Second Dáil are still serving in the Civil Service, (b) their present grades, (c) the number of former staff of the First and Second Dáil who are now on pension and (d) if, in view of the forthcoming anniversary ceremony of the meeting of the First Dáil, he will recognise the distinguished service of these men and women by promoting serving officers by one grade and increasing the pensions of retired staff on the same basis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Staff of First and Second Dáil.
3.
I regret that, within the time available, it is not possible to supply the details requested at (a), (b) and (c) of the question.
As regards (d), the superannuation position of persons who were appointed to the Civil Service of Dáil Éireann has already been dealt with under the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1923, the Superannuation Act, 1936 and the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1963. I regret that it would not be possible to adopt the Deputy's suggestions as it would be difficult to deal with this group in isolation.
I should add that the vast majority of former Dáil civil servants are exceptionally retained in the Civil Service until they reach the age of 75, instead of the normal retiring age; this, in my view, is the most practical method of recognising their services.
In view of the fact that obviously so few can be affected by my suggestion and in view of the fact that the matter of their promotion is not one which should cause any great difficulty so far as superannuation and so on is concerned, would the Taoiseach not consider that the gesture of permitting them to work until they reach the age of 75 is really not a very beneficial one? Would he not reconsider the whole matter in view of the fact that we are about to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of Dáil Éireann? Would he not endeavour to make things somewhat easier for such of these men as are now on pension or still in the Service? Would he not agree that we owe these people a rather special debt over and above that due to other sections of the Service? I would ask him, and I feel I am expressing the view of all Members of the House and of the people, to reconsider this question of the promotion by one grade of these servants?
There are a lot of questions there. The first one the Deputy raised and with which he also finished, was the question of the promotion to a higher grade. The first problem is that promotional outlets may not be available within the rank or grade of the person involved and, if there is, that person may not be the person considered most suited for the position. If he were to be promoted in these circumstances obviously there would be a grievance on the part of somebody else. So far as the right to exceptional treatment beyond that extended to others is concerned, there are other classes who could claim, possibly with more force, exceptional treatment as well and it would not be fair to these people to single out the others.
In regard to the Taoiseach's comment about the availability of promotional outlets, would he not agree that it has been known in the history of the Civil Service that people have been given promotion where there were not immediate vacancies? Is it not also true that vacancies have been created for some of the favoured in the past and special jobs created for men who were said to have given services of a special nature, and in the light of that——
We cannot have a debate on this.
——would he not consider that he is exaggerating the difficulty? Would he not, in the spirit of the times, agree to leave the matter for reconsideration by the Minister for Finance when that gentleman resumes office, which we hope he will do shortly?
I will undertake to do that at least.