asked the Minister for the Public Service if he would be willing to consider the absorption of suitably qualified personnel in Irish Shipping into other areas of the public service where vacancies occur.

In so far as the question relates to appointment to the Civil Service, which is my concern, the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, requires that appointments must be effected in accordance with open competitive examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners. Certain subordinate appointments, such as messengers, are exempt from that requirement and selection in such cases is effected through the National Manpower Service. Any appointment to the Civil Service would, therefore, have to be made in accordance with these procedures.

We are dealing with an unusual and different situation where a company owned by the Government was put into liquidation by them. There must be some Government responsibility towards the staff of the company other than to say that there are normal procedures which must be followed.

I am making a plea to the Government to be of some assistance to the staff who have lost their jobs in Irish Shipping. If the proposal in the Deputy's question is unsuitable, perhaps some other way could be found to assist them. The Government owned this company and were the employers. Does the Minister agree that the Government have a responsibility to make some effort to find employment for the employees or to make some other arrangement for them?

I have every sympathy with the former staff of Irish Shipping, which was a public sector rather than a public service company, who are now out of employment as a result of management decisions taken by the company. We must protect the concept that appointments to the Civil Service are based on merit and all those who apply must believe they have an equal chance of being appointed. If some special provision is made for one group there would be objections from others who would feel that one group was given preferential treatment at the expense of others.

Does the Minister agree that this is not a normal case? These people were indirectly Government employees and as such deserve Government attention.

The Civil Service are still trying to deal with the consequences of one group from the private sector who were placed in the Civil Service some years ago.

Would the Minister agree that a permanent career break has been forced on the employees of Irish Shipping?

This is argument. It is one of the more undesirable things about Question Time.

It is very disappointing when a Deputy stands up to ask a question and the Chair tells him that it is argument.

That is what I am here for.

We must do something about the hardship that has been imposed on the staff of Irish Shipping and their families.

I am sure Deputy Treacy could spend a long time doing that but we would not be in order. Perhaps it is regrettable but the Deputy will have to find another way to raise the matter.

Will the Minister agree that the staff of Irish Shipping have been forced to take a permanent career break? In view of the recent statement that pointed out that any of the staff who came home at their own expense cannot be recompensed——

That is the responsibility of another Minister. This Minister is not responsible for that matter.

Will he give an assurance that he will raise it with his Cabinet colleague?

I have told the Deputy this matter is not the responsibility of this Minister. I am calling Question No. 10.