asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will detail the elements of the most recent national understanding which have been paid to technical grades in his Department.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the Agreement on Pay in the Public Service. The position is that the first and second phases of the general pay increases provided for under that agreement have been paid to the staffs concerned. The question of payment of the final phase, which was due with effect from 1 October 1982, is being considered in the context of the negotiations between the Minister for the Public Service and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on public service pay and conditions.