asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that there is a certain amount of public criticism of the method by which vacancies are filled by the Local Appointments Commission; and whether, to allay such criticisms, he will consider the publication of the name, qualifications, marks, etc., of successful candidates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Appointments Commission.
Dr. Lynch
I am not aware of any public criticism of the kind referred to by the Deputy. I will consider his suggestion that the names of successful candidates, together with a brief statement of the qualifications and experience of each of them should be supplied to the Press and I will ask the Local Appointments Commissioners to examine the matter in full. It must be remembered, however, that the name of a successful candidate could not at any rate be published until the formal appointment has been made. This, as the Deputy knows, is done by the local authority and presumably in a great many cases publication actually takes place in the ordinary way at that stage.
With regard to the marks of candidates, this is a matter which it has always been the practice of the commissioners to treat as strictly confidential. As I have indicated in my reply to the Deputy's first question, the publication of marks would be embarrassing to the professional members of interview boards. It must be remembered, also, that the candidates themselves are professional men and might consider it objectionable, from the point of view of their professional careers, to have publicity given to the marks awarded to them under detailed headings in respect of professional qualifications and experience.