asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that there is grave dissatisfaction amongst members of the Garda Síochána in connection with the compulsory oral Irish test necessary for promotion; if representations regarding this matter have been made to him by the Garda Representative Body; and, if so, what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter.

I have received representations from the Representative Body for Gardaí that members who joined prior to the making of the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 1960, should be exempted from the provisions of those Regulations which prescribe an Irish Proficiency Test as an essential qualification for promotion. A year's notice of the provision relating to Irish was given, and the relevant Regulations which came into operation on 1st June, 1960, applied the Irish Test to all members who joined the Forces after 1st January, 1943. The Representative Body for Gardaí has asked that the Regulations be amended so that the Irish Test will apply only to members who joined after 1st June, 1960. I have received a deputation on this matter from the Representative Body for Gardaí, and their representations are at present being considered.

Would the Minister agree that in the case of members who joined without any prior notice of this regulation it is in fact worsening their conditions of service and the conditions under which they entered the ranks of the Garda, if this test is to be applied to them, having regard to the fact that it was not in existence when they joined?

That, in essence, is the case put to me by the Representative Body. As I say, I am considering that case at the moment and I should not like to make any statement at this stage.

Can the Minister say whether he is considering it sympathetically? Is it not a fact that the notice was given only in relation to a period of one year and not as far back as 1943?

The position was that a year's notice of the provisions relating to the Irish test was given and the regulations which came into operation on 1st June, 1960, applied the test to all members who joined the Force after 1st January, 1943.

Cén fáth nach labhrann an tAire i nGaeilge?

D'fhreagair mé an Teachta Ó hUiginn as Béarla mar chuir sé an cheist orm as Bearla. Cheap an Teachta de Brún nach raibh an Ghaeilge agam, is docha.

Is cuma liom.

The Guards will love the language after that.

The anti-Irish Irishman from Waterford.

Question No. 76.