(Limerick East) asked the Taoiseach if the division of responsibilities between the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism and the Minister for Industry and Energy will remain the same as in the period of office of the previous Government.

I am still considering this matter.

(Limerick-East): In view of the urgency of the situation and the severe unemployment problem in the country and because we seem to be going into an even more depressed economic situation, does the Taoiseach realise the importance of finalising responsibility for the IDA so that investment and employment can be guaranteed in the coming year?

The IDA have no problem in that regard. They know exactly what their responsibilities are and they are receiving the full support of the Government in their endeavours.

(Limerick East): As there is an overlap between Industry on the one hand and Trade and Commerce in the other Department, does the Taoiseach not accept that it is absolutely essential that the political head of the IDA should be clearly stated at the earliest possible date in view of the unemployment situation?

I readily admit that I did inherit an unsatisfactory situation from the previous Government.

(Limerick East): Does the Taoiseach accept that his difficulty in this matter is due to Deputy O'Malley's peculiar situation within the party rather than to anything he inherited from our party?

I accept that the previous Government, in order to placate different personalities in that Government, made certain unprecedented changes in the allocation of responsibilities which this Government will straighten out very quickly.

(Limerick East): Does the Taoiseach find these arrangements satisfactory?