asked the Minister for Defence whether he has invited applications for posts of civilian translators in his Department; whether the persons appointed to these posts must hold an Honours Degree in modern languages, possess a competent knowledge of Irish, and undergo a specialised written examination conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners; whether these appointments are temporary and non-pensionable, and a wage of £4 per week for an adult man and £3 per week for an adult woman is being offered; and, if so, whether in view of the qualifications required and the onerous conditions mentioned he will make representations to the Minister for Finance to sanction a much higher rate of remuneration for these posts.

The answer to the first part of the question relative to the conditions of appointment of civilian translators in my Department is in the affirmative, and the answer to the second part is in the negative.