§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines are operated by his Department as regards the use of executive search agencies to fill vacancies within his Department and his Department's executive agencies; and in what circumstances his Department employs executive search agencies instead of relying fully on departmental resources to fill vacant posts.
§ Sir John WheelerRecruitment to the Northern Ireland civil service and to the Northern Ireland Office is regulated by the Civil Service Commissioners to ensure selection on the basis of merit in fair and open competition. When filling vacancies at the higher appointment levels, where candidates with the relevant combination of skills and experience may be in short supply or may not be attracted by advertisement, the use of executive search agencies may be considered to supplement the pool of applicants. All candidates receive equal treatment at interview irrespective of the source of their application and selection is made on merit.