asked the Minister for Finance why interview boards are considered necessary for the selection of candidates for posts as meteorological assistant, in view of the fact that such interviews are not required for appointments to equivalent Civil Service posts; and if he will consider dispensing with such interview boards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meteorological Posts.
An interview, in addition to a written examination, is prescribed for candidates at competitions for posts as meteorological assistant for the reason that experience shows that this is the most satisfactory method of selecting candidates for posts of this type. The work of the meteorological service is specialised, and the duties of a meteorological assistant call for qualities which it is considered could not be satisfactorily assessed by written examination alone. It is not, therefore, proposed to dispense with the interview as part of these competitions.
I do not know what the Deputy means by his reference to "equivalent Civil Service posts", but I would draw his attention to the fact that interviews, in addition to written examinations, are by no means unusual in competitions conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners for posts in which the circumstances are similar to those obtaining in the case of meteorological assistants.