Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I used the word "interference" without qualification. The Act includes legal obligations and section 54 sets out the obligations on candidates in recruitment and selection. It provides that in respect of any recruitment, selection or promotion competition in the public service persons shall not:

(a) knowingly or recklessly make an application that is false or misleading in a material respect for the position,

(b) in purported compliance with a requirement for the position, knowingly or recklessly provide any information or documentation that is false or misleading in a material respect,

(c) canvass any person, with or without inducements, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of a candidate for the position,

(d) personate a candidate at any stage of the recruitment and selection process concerned,

(e) knowingly or maliciously obstruct a person engaged in the conduct of the competition or otherwise interfere with the general conduct of that competition,

(f) knowingly and without lawful authority take any action that could result in the compromising of any test material or of any evaluation of it,

(g) interfere improperly with the competition process or competition records so as to confer an advantage or a disadvantage on any candidate.

The Bill also lays down substantial penalties. The obligations under section 54 are very specific on what might constitute interference.