Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I, please, first and foremost, thank the hon. Second Member for Rodrigues for his question. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that there is a total of 36 Rodriguan public officers who have requested their transfer to the Establishment of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, and they are as follows – (a) there are 10 Prison Officers/Senior Prison Officers, including three Women Prison Officers/Senior Prison Officers in the Mauritius Prison Service; (b) 13 Firefighters in the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services, and (c) 2 Nursing Officers and one temporary Attendant Hospital Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

57 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following the setting up of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly in 2001, distinct establishments were set up in respect of posts under the Mauritian Establishment and that of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly in the Civil Establishment Order, the Mauritius Civil Establishment Order and Rodrigues, respectively. Whilst the posts on the Rodrigues Regional Assembly are restricted to Rodriguan candidates, posts on the Mauritian Establishment are open to both Mauritian and Rodriguan candidates. Accordingly, the 26 Rodriguan officers in the Mauritius Prison Service, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services and the Ministry of Health and Wellness were appointed by the Disciplined Forces Service Commission and the Public Service Commission, respectively, to serve in the post on the Mauritian Establishment. Section 71 of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act provides that, and I quote – “(1) A public officer may, with the approval of the appropriate Service Commission, be transferred to the establishment of the Regional Assembly and such transfer shall be on such terms and conditions of service as are acceptable to the appropriate Service Commission, the Regional Assembly and the person transferred.” Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Disciplined Forces Service Commission Regulations and the Public Service Commission Regulations do not provide for the permanent transfer of officers from the Mauritian establishment to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. I am informed that in the case of the three officers on the establishment of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Public Service Commission (PSC) had already informed the officers that their request cannot be considered under the existing provisions of its regulations. As regards the request for permanent transfer to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly from the Rodriguan officers of the Mauritius Prison Service and Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, protracted discussions have been held between these two commissions and departments, and advice has been sought from the AG on the matter. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the light of the legal advice obtained and in view of the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, which requires more in-depth discussions with all stakeholders and subsequent amendments, which need to be brought to existing legislations, including amending the Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act, which is in accordance with section 75E of the Constitution, the matter is still under consideration. Finally, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, pending a policy decision on the matter, Rodriguan public officers in the Mauritian establishment who are willing to serve in Rodrigues have the

58 option to apply for and undergo the selection service appointment as Prisons Officer/Senior Prisons Officer, Woman Prisons Officer or Woman Prisons Officer for the firefighter establishment of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly as and when vacancies are advertised.

Thank you, hon. Minister. The hon. Third Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! MAURICE STRATÉGIE – MANDATE, ROLE & STAFF