asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of at Helsinki security conference; and if officials and civil servants who will be seconded to represent Irish interests in Brussels following this country's entry into the European Economic Community.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the staff employed at our mission to the EEC in Brussels. That staff at present numbers 35 and includes officials of my Department and officials seconded from other Departments. The strength of the mission's staff is kept under constant review.

May I ask the Minister have any people from this country other than officials from his Department been employed there?

In the reply I have said that there are officials who have been seconded from other Departments.

Are there officials other than civil servants?

Not to the mission, but there are some in the Commissioner's office. That is a separate matter.

Are they there on the recommendation of the Irish Government?

No. It is a matter for the Irish Commissioner to appoint staff and he, I understand, is approving people from outside Government Departments. So far as our mission in Brussels is concerned the personnel there are from the Department of Foreign Affairs or are seconded from other Government Departments.