Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When it comes to an openly advertised competition, the truth is that one never knows who will apply. This post was advertised on a number of websites. The competition was open to any person around the world who had an interest in applying for this position. A number of international candidates applied. We should not discount the international experience of the 20 candidates who applied and who described themselves as Irish.

Of the 23 applications received, 17 were from the private sector and six were from the public service. Ten of the 23 applicants were female and 13 were male. I will endeavour to provide any additional information the Deputy might need about the process. As I said, TLAC provides a report to me, as Minister, which will be published in the normal way.

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