Qualified candidates are not applying for top civil service posts for fear of being vilified in the media.
The head of the Top Level Appointment Commission, which recruits top civil servants, said the invasion of privacy had been cited as a reason why capable civil servants did not apply for senior posts.
Management consultant Maureen Lynott said what she called the "bashing" and "public lambasting" of how civil servants did their jobs was really dangerous, unfortunate and damaging.
Ms Lynott referred to intrusions into people's private lives, including going to their homes.
She said personalising issues was having a negative effect on morale and that in her experience of chairing recruitment panels, she had been hugely impressed by the calibre, capability and commitment of candidates.
Overall the proportion of applicants for top civil service from within the civil service itself has fallen, while applications from the wider public service (including local authorities and state agencies) and the private sector are rising.
This is in line with the Government's policy of promoting more open recruitment from the private sector.
Women account for about 20% of applicants, but do proportionately better than men in the interview process.
