Madam Speaker, at the very outset, I wish to refer the hon. Member to the reply to Parliamentary Question B/303 dated 08 April 2025, which clearly sets out the legal and constitutional framework governing transfers between the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service and the Rodrigues Fire and Rescue Service. With regard to the specific question, I am informed that since 2022 to date, no request for transfer has been recorded and consequently, no transfer has been effected. For completeness, Madam Speaker, prior to 2022, a total of 13 requests was received in 2019 from firefighters of Rodriguan origin, along with one individual request in 2021 and the reconsideration request in April 2025. However, none of these requests were acceded to, and therefore, no permanent transfer has taken place. Madam Speaker, this situation must be understood within the existing legal and conditional framework. Under the Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act 2006, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly is established as a separate body, corporate with responsibility for the fire services in Rodrigues. Consequently, distinct civil establishment orders exist for Mauritius and Rodrigues, creating two independent establishments, each with its own staffing structure, budgetary provision and administrative authority. Furthermore, under the Disciplined Forces Service Commission Regulation which governs the condition of service of firefighters, there is no provision for permanent transfers between these two establishments. Any such transfer would therefore require a specific legal basis which does not exist actually. Madam Speaker, in addition to this legal constraint, any transfer would raise practical consideration, including the availability of vacancies in Rodrigues, alignment of rank and seniority, operational requirements of the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service and the confluence of the relevant institutional bodies. I am further informed that this matter has been subject to consultation with the Disciplined Forces Service Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Office of the Attorney General, and the Prime Minister’s Office and remained under consideration at policy level as it would necessitate appropriate legislative and regulatory amendments. Madam Speaker, in the meantime, the Government has adopted a legally compliant and practical approach to address the staffing needs in Rodrigues. A recruitment exercise was conducted in October 2025, following which, 11 firefighters were recruited, specifically for the Rodrigues Fire and Rescue Service and have already assumed duty in March 2026. It is also noteworthy that one previous applicant for transfer has successfully joined through this recruitment process, in line with the established legal framework. So, Madam Speaker, to conclude, the position is clear. Since 2022 to date, no request for transfer has been recorded. Prior to that period, a total of 13 requests were made. However, none of these requests were acceded to and consequently, no transfer has taken place. This is due to the absence of legal provisions allowing for permanent transfers between the two distinct establishments under the current legislative and regulatory framework. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Ms Henriette-Manan, fine? I am going to give her first.

Oh, okay. No, that is fine.

C’est moi qui décide.

No, I did not realise. That is fine, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Minister confirm to this House whether his Ministry envisages the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding those matters concerning the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service running in Mauritius and running in Rodrigues, please?

Yes, hon. Minister?

Madam Speaker, I just answered. So, all depends on the extensive consultation involving the Disciplined Forces Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Office of the Attorney General, and the Prime Minister’s Office. It is not in my Ministry but we have already made the request. It is under consideration.

But you will use your good offices with all the ministries concerned.

Of course. We have already requested for it. Yes.

Of course. I thought that was it, yes.

I have a very important question, Madam Speaker.

On va tomber là.

My question is, I listened well to the hon. Minister – if those firefighters who are on the Mauritian establishment applied at the Rodrigues Regional Assembly level and they are recruited thereat, can your Ministry see to it that if they get the job thereat, they carry their years of service with them? Is that possible? Do you see what I am saying? So, those firefighters who are here and have ten years of service, if they apply at the Regional Assembly level and they are recruited thereat, is it possible for them not to lose their years of service in Mauritius?

Is that a problem, hon. Minister?

No, because they… I just told that…

Do you know the reply?

No, no. No, I know the reply. I know the reply! Because there is no such legal impediment on this actually. No such legal impediment prevails actually.

You mean that if they go to Rodrigues, they carry on their years of service? That is what he is asking.

We can look into it.

What I suggest is that once you have heard this, you take time and then you will tell us.

Okay.

Parce que c’est important. Thank you very much everybody. I raise the Sitting for one and a half hour. At 1.04 p.m., the Sitting was suspended. On resuming at 2.37 p.m. with the Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

Please be seated! Hon. Third Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac! POST OFFICES – RENOVATION & CLOSURE PLANS