Derek McDowell (Labour)

What role will the commission have in respect of promotion procedures? Section 58 states that the promotion competitions will be carried out in accordance with the codes of practice. Does this in some way confer a power on the commission to change the way in which promotion competitions are carried out? For example, a certain number of posts are generally held over for internal competition and a certain number for cross-departmental competition. Will it be possible for the commission to decide that some posts are to be filled from within particular Departments or within particular geographic areas? Will it be able to decide that a job in Loughrea, for example, should be filled in Loughrea or within a particular Department? Could decisions which, as Senator Mansergh stated, are currently made by the management of the Civil Service be transferred by virtue of this section to the PAS?