Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The cost will be €34,000, excluding VAT. I understand the company in question approached 113 potentially suitable candidates and subsequently met 25 of these candidates. I also understand 40 responses were received as a result of an advertisement placed in newspapers. A shortlist of ten candidates has been drawn up and it is expected that interviews will be conducted during this month.

The cost of the advertising campaign was €25,055. Advertisements were placed in The Irish Times, The Sunday Times, Sunday Independent, Irish Independent and The Economist. I am pleased to note The Economist was used.

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