Opposition parties condemn public service bill

OPPOSITION parties yesterday rounded on a new Bill which would allow Government advisers to be appointed to civil service positions.

The Public Service Management Bill 2003 is aimed at replacing a 50-year-old system for appointing civil servants, gardaí and other high-level jobs in local authorities and health boards. However, opposition parties yesterday expressed grave reservations about sections of the Bill, particularly those relating to the appointment of special advisers and canvassing in relation to public service appointments. Under the Bill, Government departments will have power to recruit staff directly and to use private recruitment agencies.

However, Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton warned the proposed legislation could allow special advisers to circumvent recruitment rules. “The proposed Bill provides that the newly established Commission for Public Services Appointments may allow special advisers to be appointed to established positions. This means that special advisers may be able to circumvent the rules on open, competitive recruitment to the public service.”