Vol. 509 No. 6
121 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will seek a report from the South East Regional Fisheries Board on the reason applicants for the positions of fisheries officers, which have already been advertised and interviews held, are being re-advertised with further interviews to be arranged; and the cost of this process to the board. [21035/99]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a competition held by the Southern Regional Fisheries Commission for appointment to the grade of fishery inspector in the Southern Regional Fisheries Board.
Under the relevant legislation this is a matter for the Southern Regional Fisheries Commission, which was established in 1996 to carry out certain functions of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board. I have no direct function in the matter.
The commission has advised that following an assessment of complaints regarding the original selection process the commission decided in the interests of all concerned to invite all the applicants who had been interviewed to present themselves for fresh interviews. This process has now been completed and appointments to the posts in question will be made by the commission in accordance with the recommendations of the interview board.
The additional costs incurred by the commission in undertaking a fresh round of interviews amounted to £597.34 and relate to the hiring of facilities for the interviews and travel and subsistence for the three interview board members.
