asked the Taoiseach the positions previously held by non-established civil servants appointed by him and his Minister of State since 30 June 1981.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a statement giving the particulars requested.

Following is the statement:

NOTE: Mr. Liam Hourican, Government Press Secretary, was appointed to the established position of Assistant Secretary. He has given an undertaking to resign from the civil service on a date not later than the date on which the Government may cease to hold office. The other persons listed above were appointed on a contract basis for the duration of the present Government in accordance with general Government policy on this matter.

Would the Taoiseach have the latest date in respect of which the answer will be circulated? Does it state the latest date of the appointments? Up to what date?

Up to now.

I take it then that this will include the appointments made last week.

I did not hear the Deputy.

I assume this will include the appointments made within the last couple of weeks?

Yes, as I understand it it includes all appointments to date.

Is the Taoiseach aware of an article in the Evening Herald yesterday by a Mr. Feeney concerning Trotskyites being appointed by the Tánaiste? Would the Taoiseach say whether any former Trotskyites have been appointed to Government posts as non-civil servants? Would the Taoiseach have any comment to make on that article?

I am not even aware in fact that there are any former Trotskyites Members of this House, on either side of the House.