asked the Minister for the Public Service in relation to the open competition for a post as Deputy Secretary in the Department of the Public Service which was advertised in the national press in December 1978 (a) the number of applications received from persons employed in: (i) the Department of the Public Service, (ii) other Departments of State, (iii) semi-State bodies, (iv) local authorities, (v) other bodies in the public sector, (vi) enterprises in the private sector; (b) the number of applicants in each of these categories who were asked to attend for the qualifying test in Irish, the number who attended and the number who qualified as a result; and (c) the number in each category who were asked to attend for interview.

The competition for the position of Deputy Secretary in my Department was conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners. Fifty-six applications were received. The interview board considered all applications and advised the Commissioners that twentythree candidates should be called to the qualifying test in Irish. Of the twenty candidates who attended the test fifteen qualified and attended the competitive interview.

It would be contrary to the practice of the Commissioners to supply detailed information about the candidature for competitions in the form in which it has been requested by the Deputy.

Would it be in order if the question were redrafted so as to distinguish, in particular, applicants from within the Department in which the post was being advertised and all the other information left out, I mean in regard to where they came from?

It is contrary to Commissioners' practice to supply such detailed information.

Would it not be in the public interest that we should know——

If it is in the public interest, then change the law but that is the law as it stands.

Is that the Minister's view on this? Is it or is it not the law?

The Minister said it was contrary to practice; he now says it is the law. Is it a practice or a law?

Where is the law which prevents the Minister from answering this question?

It is the law governing the Civil Service Commission.

Could the Minister quote the relevant law?

I do not have it here but there is a law.

Which precludes an analysis of this kind being published. The Minister should cite that.

Any detailed information about competitions held by the Civil Service Commission or the Local Appointments Commission.

Would it not be in the public interest and in the interest of what I might call the transparency of Government operations that where a very senior post of this kind is advertised the public should know how many what I might call inside candidates there have been and how many from outside? Would not that be in the public interest?

I think that would be unfair to the candidates concerned.

Why would it be unfair to them? Might I ask the Minister to say why he thinks it unfair that the public should know, in regard to a job for which they are paying, how many inside candidates there are and how many from outside?

I have given the reply I can give.

That is the kind of reply I would get from Pravda or Tass.