asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what the position of the G.N.R. clerical staff regarding future employment will be when the absorption of the G.N.R. by C.I.E. takes place next September.

New legislation is at present being prepared to provide for the amalgamation of the G.N.R. undertaking in the State with C.I.E. It is intended to include in the legislation provision for compensation of G.N.R. clerical staff who may become redundant or suffer a worsening of conditions as a consequence of the amalgamation.

Can the Minister say at this stage how many, if any, will be transferred?

That is a separate question.