asked the Taoiseach the number of non-established civil servants appointed in his Department since 30 June 1981; and if he will give their names, terms of appointment, duties and rate of remuneration in each case.

5.

asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate in the case of all appointments of persons, other than established civil servants, made in his Department since he took up office; (a) the name of the appointee, (b) the rate of remuneration, (c) the terms of appointment and (d) the duties and responsibilities of the appointee.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together and to circulate with the Official Report a statement giving the particulars requested.

With one exception, the persons appointed are on a contract basis for the duration of the present Government, in accordance with the general policy that I have laid down in this matter. The exception is the Government Press Secretary, Mr. Liam Hourican, who has been appointed to the established position of Assistant Secretary held by his predecessor in office. Mr. Hourican has, however, given an undertaking in writing to resign from the civil service on a date not later that the date on which the Government may cease to hold office which should give him a very long tenure.

Following is the statement:

Would the Taoiseach accept an assurance that we are not in the least worried about the appointment of Mr. Liam Hourican? For the benefit of the House, would he indicate the number of people appointed under the terms of the question and indicate whether Mr. Alexis FitzGerald is included in the list?

The number of people, including Mr. Hourican and the head of the Government Information Services and three personal assistants and personal secretaries, totals eight and does not include Mr. FitzGerald who is special adviser to the Government, not to the Taoiseach.

Would the Taoiseach be prepared to indicate at this stage the terms of the appointment of Mr. Alexis FitzGerald or would he prefer me to put down a separate question?

It is a separate question.

Is the Taoiseach indicating that Mr. Alexis FitzGerald is not appointed to the Taoiseach's Department?

That is correct. He is special adviser to the Government.

I take it the Taoiseach is not in a position today to give us the terms of his appointment.

It is a separate question. I have not that information here.

Does the Taoiseach know the details of the appointment?

Indeed.

But the Taoiseach does not wish to give them to the House.

I would not wish to test my recollection of detail to the extent of citing the terms of reference three-and-a-half months after they were drawn up and approved. I will be more than happy to give them if the Deputy puts down a separate question.