asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to nominate Ireland's representative to the Commission of the European Community in succession to President-elect Dr. P. J. Hillery.

An announcement will be made within a week in relation to the Government's nomination to the EEC Commission.

Will the Taoiseach state if this appointment is to be made by the Government or by the Taoiseach himself? Will he tell the House if the Government have already considered the matter?

The Deputy will appreciate that under the terms of the Treaty of Rome appointments of this character are made by the Governments of the member states.

In terms of the nomination to be presented to the Commission, I am simply asking the Taoiseach if this will be decided by the Government or by the Taoiseach himself and if the Government have already had any discussion on the matter or have come to any preliminary conclusion.

The Deputy can be assured the Government will conform to the requirements of the Treaty of Rome.

The Taoiseach must not have heard my question. I asked if the Government have already discussed the matter and, if so, the outcome of the discussion.

Government discussions are not a matter for public notoriety.

Except through a Government spokesman. We all know what happens then.

In view of the notoriety it has received because of the Taoiseach's silence, may I ask the Taoiseach how many applicants have submitted their names for consideration?

There is no Fianna Fáil applicant anyway.

That was obvious a month ago.

In view of the fact that the Taoiseach indicated to the President-elect, Dr. Hillery, well in advance that he was not being reappointed, and as other commissioners have already beeen appointed by other countries, will the Taoiseach ensure that this appointment is made immediately to stop this continuing public indignity?

The Deputy is misinformed about other commissioners. So far there have been no formal decisions, with the exception of one or two cases.

There have been appointments in one or two cases. The Taoiseach will appreciate that the Irish commissionership ends on 2nd December, some weeks in advance of the termination of the other commissionerships and, consequently, the Irish position should be filled in advance.

It will be from January, not from December.

The Taoiseach was most categorical that there were no Fianna Fáil candidates. Will he tell the House if there was a Labour applicant? That is a very civil question.

I am calling Question No. 3.