asked the Taoiseach the salary paid to the former director of the Government Information Bureau under the present Government at the commencement of his employment in 1973; his salary when he left in 1975; and if he will state the reason for the termination of the appointment.

2.

asked the Taoiseach the current salary of the director of the Government Information Bureau; whether this person also holds the rank of assistant secretary in his Department; and, if not, why.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, it is proposed to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

The former head of the Government Information Services was appointed in 1973 to the post of assistant secretary. He resigned from that post in September, 1975, to take up an appointment in Radio Telefís Éireann. His commencing salary was £5,092 and his retiring salary was £8,195.

The present head, with whom a three-year contract for a fee of £11,000 per year was agreed, is not a civil servant. The question of a civil service grading does not, therefore, arise.

Would the Taoiseach repeat that part of the answer which deals with the salary of the present holder of the position? Unfortunately I could not hear it.

I am sorry. The present head, with whom a three year contract for a fee of £11,000 per year was agreed, is not a civil servant. The question of a civil service grading does not, therefore, arise.

Can the Taoiseach say if there was any particular reason why the role or title of assistant secretary was not given to the present holder of the position? If it was necessary in the case of his predecessor why is it different now?

The present holder of the position did not want to become a civil servant.

Wise man.

Am I right in saying the previous holder did want to become a civil servant?

He was one for a period anyway.

Could I ask the Taoiseach if the increase in salary from £5,000 to £11,000 odd in three years is in line with the terms of the national wage agreement?

This is not a salary. It is a contract on a fee basis.

Could the Taoiseach give the House an indication as to how the salary for this position was determined?

The previous salary was on the basis of the civil service grading at the appropriate rate for an assistant secretary. The present position is a contract on a fee basis for three years.

My point is in relation to the £11,000. How was that determined as the correct figure for this position?

It was an agreed figure on the basis of a contract. It is not a salary.

Could the Taoiseach say how this agreed figure was arrived at? Why was it not £8,000 or £15,000?

It was negotiated.

Jobs for the boys.

Deputy Molloy should know more about that than anybody.