Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether authority will be given to senior constables who purpose to present themselves at P examination which is to be held in Dublin next November considering that since the passing of the Police Emergency Act no non-commissioned officer is permitted to retire on pension unless he is debarred by physical infirmities from further service; whether he will have the examination in November held as a war measure and allow thirty places as formerly given; and whether promotion in the force at the present time is a rarity in most of the counties in Ireland?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Constabulary Regulations provide, with certain limitations, that constables who have eight years' service and over who are otherwise considered by their officers to be eligible for advancement can be nominated by their county inspectors for the annual P examination for promotion. It has been decided to recommend that an increase should be sanctioned in the number of places to be given to successful candidates at the next examination.