asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the assessment, if any, made to date on the recommendation of the review group on the Post Office and its structure.

17.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if the proposed change in the organisation of the Post Office leading to greater autonomy would be beneficial; and the consultations, if any, he has held with the representatives of the employees on this matter.

18.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if consultations have taken place with the unions involved in his Department on the proposed reorganisation, prior to the publication of the Review Body's Report.

19.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the proposals to reorganise the telecommunications section of his Department on the basis of a State-sponsored body.

20.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the proposals to reorganise the postal services section of his Department on the basis of a State-sponsored body.

21.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason the announcement on the re-organisation of his Department was not made in the Dáil.

22.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if any agreement has been entered into with private concerns at home or abroad in connection with his proposals to re-organise the telecommunications section of his Department.

27.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the financial provision, if any, made in the current year's Estimates to implement the proposals to re-organise his Department, and, if not, if it is intended to introduce a Supplementary Estimate.

I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take Questions Nos. 16 to 22, inclusive, and 27 together.

Following an initial study of the report by the Posts and Telegraphs Review Group, the Government have decided to accept in principle the two basic recommendations in it, that is, to create two State-sponsored bodies to run the telecommunications and postal services and to appoint an interim board at the earliest possible date for the telecommunications service. The Government have also decided to appoint an interim board for the postal service.

Copies of the review group's report were presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas on Monday evening, 2 July, before it was published on 3 July. As the Government decisions on the report were of interest to the country at large, they were released through the media so that they would be given the widest possible publicity.

Staff unions and associations have been informed of the Government decisions. Discussions will commence as soon as possible with them about practical arrangements affecting them during the period when the interim boards will function. A green Paper setting out proposals for the legislation and the arrangements which will govern the activities of the new statutory bodies will be published later. It will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and will provide a basis for public discussion and for consultation with staff unions and other interested bodies. When these discussions and consultations have taken place a draft Bill containing legislative proposals will be introduced.

No agreement has been entered into with any private concern at home or abroad regarding any aspect of the proposals for re-organisation of my Department. Specific provision was not made in the current year's Estimate for expenditure on implementing re-organisation proposals that might arise when the Posts and Telegraphs Review Group furnished their report. A Supplementary Estimate will be introduced later in the year should the need for one arise.

I protest at the manner in which this report was made available to Members of the House.

A question, Deputy.

Is the Minister aware that it was last Tuesday, 3 July, before any of us got a copy of the report whereas it was published in the newspapers of the same date? The Minister said that it was released on Monday, 2 July. How in the name of God did the Minister expect us to know the details of the proposals on that Monday when there was a post strike? Is the Minister aware that a number of reports in the previous week's newspapers gave the bones of the proposals with great accuracy? It looks as if that was an inspired leak from the Minister's Department. Has the Minister any comments to make on those press statements?

The usual procedure was adopted in relation to the circulation of the report. I am not responsible for what appears in the newspapers.

Is it correct that the Minister is not responsible for the leaks of the previous week?

Of course it is correct.

Has the Minister any idea how they got into the newspapers?

I have no idea.

During the weekend the head of the Civil and Public Services' Staff Association protested at the Minister's lack of consultation in regard to his proposals, although the association had been promised by the Taoiseach in May 1978 that there would be consultation. Why was that promise not kept?

This was a Government policy decision. I made copies of the report available to the staff side of the Departmental Council on the same day that it was made available to Deputies and to the press. There will be full consultation with the staff associations and the unions about the interim arrangements affecting them pending the setting up of the statutory bodies. A Green Paper will be published later setting out proposals for the legislation and the arrangements which will govern the activities of the new bodies and this will form the basis for discussion with staff unions and other interested bodies.

They were promised prior consultation.

The Minister referred to the setting up of interim boards. Can he indicate to the House when these boards will be in operation?

Within the next few months.

Will we have them before the Dáil reconvenes in October?

Within the next few months.