Vol. 302 No. 9
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received from the Civil Service Commissioners the final result of the open competition for the post of legal adviser in his Department; and, if so, if he intends to appoint the person recommended by the boards set up by the Commissioners to interview and assess candidates.
18.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reasons for the delay in filling the post of legal adviser in his Department which was advertised last July; and when he intends to make an appointment.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I have recently received from the Civil Service Commissioners a notification to the effect that they are not in a position to recommend a person for appointment on the results of the interviews conducted by the board set up by the commissioners. The Deputy will appreciate that, as the competition was conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners I am unable to comment on the timetable. I am examining what further steps might be taken to fill the post.
This is an area totally within the Minister's competence and I do not wish to interfere in it. However, can the Minister give any indication as to what other steps he is considering? Would the filling of this post be in accordance with the normal rules and regulations for the filling of such a post within the civil service?
The Deputy will appreciate that an examination has already been conducted by the Civil Service Commission. The procedures took from six to eight months but the result was negative. In view of the urgency of the matter I hope to be able to take one of two approaches. One would be to request the Civil Service Commission to have a further examination and to cut down on the time it takes to reach a decision. If that does not prove feasible it may be necessary for me to consider some other option to ensure that we have a legal adviser within the service.
I should like to ask the Minister to adopt the first course he has outlined, to go through the normal channels.
This is my first concern, but the Deputy will appreciate that it is serious not to have a legal adviser in the Department of Foreign Affairs at this time when so many matters of international law are being raised. If I am told that it will be nine months before a procedure of this sort will give me a legal adviser, the Deputy will appreciate that I will have to consider some other option.
