Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which his Department last sought applications from executive officers and higher executive officers for posts in visa offices overseas; if civil servants that were not Irish nationals were invited to apply for these posts; if any non Irish staff members applied; if they were short-listed for interview; if any were placed on a panel for appointment; if any were offered an overseas appointment and if they were permitted to take up the posting and if not, the reason; if he will detail when it is expected that these posts will be advertised again and if non Irish staff members will be allowed participate in future competitions and to take up appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27740/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My Department last sought applications from Executive Officers and Higher Executive Officers for posts in visa offices overseas in April 2010. The Office Notice seeking applications was issued to all staff in the grades referenced by the Deputy as well as Administrative Officers. All candidates who applied were interviewed and a panel was created.

As part of the application process all successful candidates were notified of their placement on the panel and when offered an overseas appointment were asked to produce a copy of their Irish passport. The assessment of eligibility for any post occurs, as a practice, at the point where an assignment is about to be made. During the currency of the panel established one officer who was unable to provide an Irish passport was not in a position to take up an assignment.

The present panel for overseas appointment is in place until 30 June 2013. These posts will be advertised again when the present panel expires or unless previously exhausted, provided the business case to maintain visa officers overseas remains valid. All officers in the relevant grades will be allowed apply for future competitions. The requirement to hold Irish citizenship to take up a posting in the visa offices overseas will still apply. Under the 2008 Passport Act, Irish passports, whether standard, official or diplomatic, may only be issued to Irish citizens.