asked the Minister for the Environment when he intends to fill the vacancy of county manager for Offaly County Council; if he will outline in detail the present position in regard to this appointment; and the further steps necessary to authorise this appointment.

(Dublin South-East): Consequent on the degrouping of Counties Laois and Offaly for management purposes I appointed a person to the office of manager, temporarily, in Offaly County Council pending the making of a permanent appointment thereto by the local authority on the recommendation of the Local Appointments Commissioners. The degrouping of the two counties became effective on 1 April 1982 and I understand that Offaly County Council have forwarded the formal statutory request to the Local Appointments Commissioners requesting them to recommend a person for appointment on a permanent basis to the office of county manager. An advertisement announcing the competition for the filling of the vacnacy on a permanent basis appeared in the national press on Wednesday, 5 May 1982. The arrangements for the selection of a suitable candidate for recommendation to the county council for appointment are matters for the commissioners.