National quotas for Commission appointments
Kelly said Commission posts are not reserved by nationality, though recruitment should reflect the broadest possible geographical basis. O'Kennedy argued Ireland was below its appropriate representation and challenged whether a prior appointment counted; Kelly disagreed, and the Chair asked Members not to attach praise or blame to people outside the House.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the appointment of Director General of the Commission of the European Community is determined on an national quota basis; and, if so, if he will state Ireland's entitlement under this system.
Comment on this
Paragraph three of article 27 of the staff regulations of officials of the European Communities states, and I quote:
No posts shall be reserved for nationals of any specific member state.
There is, therefore, no national quota system so that the second part of the Deputy's question does not arise.
However, I should point out that although there is no system of national quotas the first paragraph of article 27 of the staff regulations does provide that officials shall be "recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of member states of the Communities". On this basis Ireland can normally expect to hold one post in the Commission at Director General level and in fact we have at all times done so since the time of our accession to the Communities.
Comment on this
Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the post which, in the words of the Parliamentary Secretary, Ireland can expect to hold, is that which was held by invitation from another Commissioner in view of the very effective contribution which Mr. Gallagher had made in the negotiations with the OPEC countries and that is outside the proposition of national allocations, and therefore that it is not what one might call the Irish position, that it is there by direct invitation from Commissioner Soames? Therefore, does the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that we are now below our appropriate allocation?
Comment on this
I do not accept that. I am glad to join the Deputy in his tributes to Mr. Gallagher but I do not accept that the circumstances of his appointment did not count as an appointment at that level. It does so count and we are glad to recognise it as such.
