Labour Court upholds finding against Claire Breslin's discrimination appeal

The Labour Court upheld a finding that Claire Breslin was not discriminated against in a promotion competition, in a determination dated 6 March 2001. Breslin, a District Inspector, argued that she was better qualified and more experienced than male candidates placed ahead of her, and challenged the interview and selection process. The Department of Education and Science and the Minister for Education and Science said additional academic qualifications were not selection criteria and that her interview performance affected her ranking. The Court found no evidence of discrimination in the selection criteria and accepted that the interview board had deliberated carefully. It noted that individual criteria lacked attached marks and weightings, but upheld the Equality Officer’s finding against Breslin’s appeal.