Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is playing with words slightly. Section 57B of the original Act states:

(1) The Public Appointments Service may designate an employee […] for redeployment […].
(2) Where a person who is designated under subsection (1) holds a position by virtue of a contract that is one for a definite period, he or she shall, on the redeployment day, be redeployed to such position […].

It is stated designation shall be in writing. The provision gives the power to designate. It is not just a provision allowing for redeployment but a provision allowing for compulsory redeployment where it is not necessarily agreed. I note the civil servants shaking their heads. They Minister may correct me if what I contend is not the case.