asked the Minister for Finance if the Civil Service Commissioners recently recommended for appointment by the Minister for Agriculture a junior horticultural inspector; whether the successful applicant had a knowledge of Irish and was not required to undergo an interview in Irish while other unsuccessful applicants with full qualifications in Irish had to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answer. - Appointment of Horticultural Inspector.
No candidate has yet been declared successful by the Civil Service Commissioners on the results of the current competition for a situation as junior horticultural inspector. In accordance with the policy in operation for several years past in competitions of this kind the regulations, prescribed under the appropriate statutes, provided as follows for a preference or extra credit in regard to a knowledge of Irish.
"(5) (1) If there is only one candidate who is qualified and suitable, and who satisfies the Commissioners that he/she has a competent knowledge of Irish, the Commissioners will recommend for appointment that candidate.
(2) If there are two or more candidates, who are qualified and suitable and who satisfy the Commissioners that they have a competent knowledge of Irish, the Commissioners will recommend that one of the said candidates who is the best qualified.
(3) If none of the qualified and suitable candidates satisfies the Commissioners that he/she has a competent knowledge of Irish, then—(a) in case there is only one qualified and suitable candidate, the Commissioners will recommend that candidate; (b) in case there are two or more qualified and suitable candidates, the Commissioners will recommend the candidate who is best qualified, and for this purpose the Commissioners will award to any of the said candidates who satisfies them that he/she possesses a good knowledge of Irish, extra marks in respect thereof."
The regulations further provided that a candidate could be required to attend for interview in respect of technical qualifications but did not so require any candidate, who did not so desire, to undergo the Irish test for the purpose of the preference or extra credit provided for in the regulations. All candidates were asked on the application form to state whether or not they desired to undergo the test in Irish and those who expressed a desire to do so were tested accordingly.