With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
My Department select from the applicants each year the panel of assistant examiners which they consider most suitable in each particular subject. The main criterion adopted is the requirement that the marking of the answer books should be completed with maximum accuracy and efficiency.
Account is taken of the qualifications and teaching experience of the applicants. Selection as an assistant examiner in any year does not confer on any applicant a right to be selected in subsequent years. I would not consider it appropriate that I should make observations on the question as to why an individual applicant is not selected in a particular year.