asked the Minister for Education the reason why the names of candidates are disclosed to the examiner in the oral Irish test of the Leaving Certificate Examination.

As the oral test in Irish at the Leaving Certificate examination is conducted by an inspector of my Department with the co-operation of a teacher nominated by the Manager of the school at which the pupils are in attendance, the question of not disclosing the names of the candidates does not and cannot arise.

Would the Minister explain the distinction between the procedure in the written examination and the oral test? In the written examination, the candidates are designated by numbers. Why not so in the oral Irish test?

The oral test is carried out by an officer of the Department of Education. Written papers are examined by people appointed by the Department but not officers of the Department, so there is a difference.

I cannot see it.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is no loophole for possible abuse as a result of the names being disclosed? That is the reason I have been asked to raise this question.

One has to assume the officer of a Department can be trusted. When an officer carries out an examination, we have confidence in him not to disclose information or do anything that would be prejudicial to the examination. As well as that, a second person is present at the oral examination who knows the candidate. It would be absolutely impossible to keep the name of the candidate a secret in the circumstances. Even if it were possible, I do not think it would be absolutely necessary since the examination is conducted by an officer of the Department in whom we have confidence.

Presumably you have confidence in your examiner also?

Yes, but we are not responsible for the examiners in the same way as for our officers.