No. 196 NAI DFA Secretary's Files S20 A

Letter from Timothy A. Smiddy to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)

London, 10 April 1929

I construe your further letter of April 2nd 1929 (32/175)1 regarding the form of communication as not implying that the High Commissioner may not write directly to the Minister when he thinks fit to do so.

Since the Secretary has signed letters beginning with the phrase 'I am directed by the High Commissioner' it is not seen that there is any reason for departing from the practice by which such letters were signed by the Secretary as secretary of the Office. However, the question of 'description' is quite unimportant and is evidently regarded so by the Department since so many different signatures appear on letters from the head office, all of the signatories signing independently, without a description such as 'for the Secretary'.

It is noted that the High Commissioner and the envoys rank with the Assistant Secretary and the Legal Adviser; but it is perhaps overlooked

(a) that while they are abroad and hold High Commissioner or ministerial positions, they rank senior not only to the two officials mentioned, but to the Secretary of the Department. When they return to their 'country of origin' they lose this position and then those whose scales of salary are the same as the scales of salary of the Assistant Secretary and the Legal Adviser are in the same rank and grading, subject to inter-se seniority;
(b) that it is not enough to lay down a broad rule of departmental seniority, but that special circumstances should be considered. It cannot be contemplated that the present occupant of the post of High Commissioner ranks with officers whose scales of salary are much below his;
(c) that there is an inter-se seniority hierarchy also. It would be advisable to adopt the general Civil Service practice and issue such a list.

I am informed by the Secretary that he does not accept the ruling either that he ranks as an Assistant-Principal or that he ranks equal in seniority with the counsellor of legation at Washington, or the Secretaries in Berlin and Paris. In fact, Mr. Kiernan tells me that he claims seniority over any non-ministerial officers serving the Saorstát outside of the Saorstát. Mr. Kiernan believes it will prejudice his prospects as a civil servant if it is left on record that he is the equivalent of an Assistant-Principal; and he wishes his position made clear, for his personal benefit.

I wish to have it clearly understood that these questions and others which are the subject of correspondence are raised merely that I may know the position as it is understood by the Minister and the Secretary of the Department. In asking for explanations I only desire to have information to enable me to realise the changes which have taken place in the organisation of the department. I am not objecting in the least to obiter dicta.

[signed] T.A. Smiddy
High Commissioner

1 See No. 194.


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