Pat Cox
Ceist:163 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for the Marine the selection criteria applied to shortlisting of candidates in respect of a competition (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Selection Criteria.
The minimum essential requirements for the position of temporary chemist in the Department were an honours degree in Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry or an equivalent qualification and experience in the analysis of marine environmental samples using gas chromotography and mass spectrometry. Experience of working on marine samples in an environmental laboratory and knowledge of the basic concepts of analytical quality assurance were desirable but not essential.
As there was a large candidature (98 applicants) for the position, the Department asked the interview board to shortlist applicants likely to attain in the competition a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment. Competition was extremely keen and many highly qualified and experienced chemists were not included in the ten applicants invited for interview. While it is not the practice to divulge the specific selection criteria operated by the board for shortlisting purposes such criteria are, in general, based on the essential and desirable requirements for the position.