asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware that pupils from the West of Ireland competing in a recent examination for positions as technicians in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs have been informed through their school principals by the Civil Service Commissioners that, due to a recent train robbery, they are no longer in contention for the positions; and the steps he proposes to take to remedy this injustice.
Written Answers. - Civil Service Commission Examination.
33.
The Civil Service Commissioners have furnished the following information.
The competition for technician trainee, Department of Posts and Telegraphs, consists of written tests and, for those placed highest in them, an interview. Some candidates' completed answer papers in two of the tests were stolen in a train robbery while being returned from the examiners. The Civil Service Commissioners therefore decided that such of the candidates affected as had done well in the other written tests and would probably have been in the running for the interview, should be asked to resit tests in the subjects the papers for which had been stolen.
All school principals and guidance counsellors were informed accordingly.
I should add that no candidate from the west of Ireland had his answer papers stolen.