Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Finian McGrath.

I am in two minds about this Bill. It is laudable that it is intended to have an open competition for the position of Clerk but the essence of the Bill represents a missed opportunity, more of the same and a failure to modernise. I wish to preface my remarks by joining previous speakers in saying that anything I say about the appointment to positions in the Civil Service, particularly the position of Clerk, in the past, present or future, in no way reflects on any individuals.

As was the case with the two previous speakers, I did not get an opportunity when he was leaving to pay tribute to the previous Clerk of the Dáil for the extraordinary work he did. I knew him better during his period as Clerk of the Seanad when he was an extraordinarily able, very helpful, Member-friendly but firm guide to people when they needed help. I remember how on one occasion I looked to him for sympathy after I was kicked out of the Seanad and got none, which was perfectly justifiable in the circumstances as I was out of order. I realised at the time that he was utterly fair and he was certainly the finest civil servant I have come across in my 35 years here in terms of knowledge, experience and impartiality. He served taoisigh and Members well, which is an extraordinary combination. The unanimous support for that is a tribute to him here today.

My problem with the Bill is that it was the opportunity we expected for some modernisation of appointments in the Civil Service, particularly in this House. Perhaps it is because we do not have time to investigate it but during my time here, I have always been completely boggle-eyed by how appointments are made. I still do not know how the appointments of the Superintendent, the middle grades in the Library and Research Service or the ushers are made. I am not saying that anything is wrong. I just do not know. There is no process. People are not told. They just happen. They appear and go.

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