John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

The tone of the reply which I have given on behalf of the Minister is in keeping with what the Senator said because the presiding officer has huge autonomy to recruit new people. For the presidential election there was quite a turnover of staff and new people were employed by presiding officers. The Minister will take on board the Senator's comments, which are important. There will be a message delivered direct to every presiding officer highlighting that when vacancies arise that a job opportunity be given to suitably qualified people. As the Senator said, the training is straightforward and should be easy to accommodate. I will express the Senator's concerns to the Minister. I am sure, from the comprehensive reply that I delivered here, that such consideration is in the Department's mindset. The message will be relayed to each presiding officer that where a vacancy arises that preference should be given to a suitably qualified unemployed person.

The motion has merit and I thank the Senator for tabling it. The Government should listen to him and not give lip service but accept his recommendation that where new people are qualified they should be given a job opportunity.