asked the Minister for Health if permanent staff have as yet been appointed to service the board of the proposed new hospital at Beaumont, Dublin.

: No permanent staff have been appointed to the Beaumont Hospital Board to date.

: Can the Minister say if the temporary staff are still continuing in that capacity?

: Yes. The board appointed two people in a temporary capacity with my approval. They have proposals before me for the appointment of permanent additional staff.

: Can the Minister say when that permanent staff are to be appointed, if the positions will be advertised and interviews conducted?

: Yes. The usual procedures will be gone through.

: Which were not gone through when the temporary staff were being appointed?

: It was a question of getting the board off the ground and getting into action as quickly as possible.

: The appointment of a few cleaners.