asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why he will not appoint a clerical officer to the new Kildare and Offaly Committee of Agricultural Education in the new building at Edenderry, County Offaly which was recently opened at a cost of £130,000.

Officers of committees of agriculture are appointed by the committees themselves though powers of sanction rests with me. Since several committees operate education centres and sub-offices without the service of a whole-time clerical officer, I see no reason why the same cannot be done at Edenderry.

Is it not a fact that the Parliamentary Secretary has to sanction the decisions of the committees?

That is correct in the case of a full time member of the staff.

This appointment relates to a full time member of the staff.

We feel that there is no justification for the appointment of a full time officer.

If it is true that the Minister sanctioned £130,000 for the new building at Edenderry, the Parliamentary Secretary is making a contradictory statement.

The Deputy is the most confused Member in this House.

Order.

The question relates to the appointment of one clerical officer. The Department are of the opinion that the creation of an additional post is not necessary and that the office can work efficiently without an additional officer.

The normal opening hours for the committee's offices are from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Is the Parliamentary Secretary suggesting that there will be no personnel in the offices after 10.30 a.m.? You must remember——

Brevity, Deputy.

There are a number of such offices throughout the country and they are efficiently run. You cannot sanction a post for the sake of creating unnecessary employment.

Order.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a number of county committees are under-staffed and that the processing of applications is slow at present?

I do not agree with the Deputy; we have sufficient staff.