asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will remove the ban, operated since 22 July 1981, on recruitment to his Department.

A ban on recruitment has not operated in my Department since the date mentioned by the Deputy. Where the need for recruiting staff is established, the staff required are being, or will be, recruited.

Is the Minister now stating that the ban on recruitment to the public service which was introduced on 21 July, no longer applies to the Department of Posts and Telegraphs? If so, could he tell me the date on which the ban on recruitment to existing vacancies, new posts and any new staff required was removed?

The Deputy is confused. He asked if there was a ban on recruitment. A ban on recruitment has not operated in my Department since the date mentioned. For example, we have recruited 200 trainee installers, 55 telephone operators, 25 executive engineers and 100 clerical staff since the date in question. Arrangements are in hand for the recruitment of post office clerks, telephonists and postmen to meet expected vacancies in the coming year. I do not know what the Deputy is talking about.

I shall explain to the Minister——

Question, please.

I have to give the introduction first. In a reply to a supplementary question from me the week before last in this House, Deputy Bruton said the ban on recruitment in the public service still stood. I am glad to hear the ban on recruitment to the Department of Posts and Telegraphs does not exist, but it did exist for a couple of months and I have written evidence from various sections of the Department stating that people would not be taken on because of the ban on recruitment. Is the ban on recruitment lifted and on what date was it lifted?

If the Deputy has letters from my Department to that effect he should pass them on.

The Minister carefully named all the units where people were being taken on but he carefully left out trainee installers. Are they included for the rest of this year and next year?

I said 200 trainee installers are being taken on.

But in future?

We will take 1982 when it comes.

I asked about 1981.

I said 200 trainee installers are being taken on.

A final supplementary.

More inspiration.

If I got a straight answer to a straight question I would not have to ask all these questions. Did the ban on recruitment to the public service ever apply to the Department of Posts and Telegraphs? If so, on what date was it lifted?

There was no ban on recruitment. The Deputy is under a misapprehension. He should read the speech by the Minister for Finance and see the exact wording about increasing numbers in the public service. The talk about a ban on recruitment is inaccurate and a misunderstanding of the position.

That is wrong.

Order please. Question No. 13.