asked the Minister for the Public Service if, further to the granting of limited political rights to certain categories of public servants in March, 1974, he will now consider, as an immediate measure, the granting of similar rights to postmen, post office clerks and post office engineering staffs.

The relaxation of restrictions on political activities on the part of civil servants which were introduced in March, 1974, already applies to postmen, post office clerks and the vast majority of post office engineering staff.

When is it intended that such categories would have the right to stand for Dáil Éireann?

There is no intention of providing that facility.

Is that the definite decision of the Government or of the Minister?

As of now there is no proposal for that contemplated by the Government.

Why may an ESB linesman stand for Dáil Éireann while a Post Office linesman may not? Could the Minister justify such a decision?

The Deputy might ask his colleagues who took that decision to justify it before he asks me to do so.

I am asking the Minister to do this.