Mr. Eugene Gargan:

The Deputy asked the question then about whether those in the service of the State, that is, the public service and Civil Service, can have some form of employment protection. Forgive me if I get it wrong but from memory I believe this goes back to Circular 51/1979, which provides for unpaid leave. I work in the private sector so I have never been able to invoke it directly like that. It allows for a number of days off, however. I think there are implications in terms of superannuation payments as well. If, therefore, a person spends every year throughout his or her working life taking a week or two off, it can have an implication towards the end of his or her working career. I can clarify that and revert to the Deputy. I do not think it is universally available for those in the rest of the public service, however. I think it is for the Civil Service only.