asked the Minister for Finance whether the Official Secrets Bill was discussed by the General Council under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service; and, if so, if he will cause a copy of the agreed report of the discussion on the Bill to be placed in the Library.

12.

asked the Minister for Finance what Civil Service organisations were consulted in connection with the Official Secrets Bill, the date upon which such consultation took place, and the observations made by them on the proposals.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.

In accordance with the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service, copies of proposals for legislation in regard to official secrets were sent to the Civil Service General Council Staff Panel on 21st October, 1961. At the Panel's request an explanatory statement was sent to them on 23rd November, 1961. At a meeting of the General Council held on 17th January, 1962, the staff side said that they did not desire to offer any observations on the proposals and they had no objection to the proposed legislation. A copy of the agreed report of the meeting has been placed in the Library.