asked the Minister for Health the names of the nominating bodies to the board of the proposed new hospital at Beaumont, Dublin; and, if any staff have been appointed to service such board.

The Beaumont Hospital Board consists of 14 members appointed by the Minister for Health, nine of whom are appointed as follows: (a) two on the nomination of the Eastern Health Board; (b) three on the nomination of the Board of Governors of St. Laurence's Hospital; (c) three on the nomination of the Committee of Management of the Charitable Infirmary, Jervis Street and (d) one on the nomination of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. A secretary has been appointed by the hospital board in a temporary capacity. A typist is also employed by the board in a temporary capacity. A design team, comprising architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, have been appointed and are proceeding with the planning of the project.

Is the Minister aware that on 13th October last he informed the House that staff had not been appointed to either of the proposed hospitals at Beaumont and Tallaght? Is he now telling the House that administrative staff have been appointed?

Secretarial staff have been appointed to the Beaumont board only.

Will the Minister inform the House of the qualifications for the temporary secretary, the date the post was advertised and the method of appointment?

The secretary and typist were appointed in a temporary capacity by the board in order to get on with the work.

I asked if the post had been advertised, the method of interview and appointment.

The appointments were made by the board directly.

Privately?

No, publicly by the board. I authorised the board to go ahead and get whatever staff they needed to get on with the job I entrusted them to do.

The board did not advertise the appointments?

Not as far as I am aware. The secretary and the typist are employed in a temporary capacity pending the appointment of proper staff in due course.