asked the Minister for Labour when the person recently appointed by him as deputy chairman of the Labour Court was first appointed to his Department; the capacity in which he was appointed; and the circumstances under which the appointment was made.

The person recently appointed as deputy chairman of the Labour Court was first appointed to the Department on 23rd July, 1974.

The appointment was in the capacity of socio-economist with special responsibility for assessment of economic trends and their impact on the work of the Department of Labour.

I would refer the Deputy to a previous reply on 18th February, 1975, in which the circumstances of the appointment were given.