: There is an obvious question of serious dimensions which should be asked. We had the new departure of a potential adviser to the Minister of State pontificating on how he wishes to see the Youth Employment Agency progressing in the future and how he sees it being funded and the funds being used. Basically that surely is still a Government decision. These are questions I want to put to the Minister of State and I am prevented from asking them because of this tabular statement.

: It has not prevented the Deputy from making a speech.

: Honestly, I was trying to elicit information on the Minister's views on the most unusual step of an adviser last Sunday at length expounding a policy which appears to me to be contrary to what the Government have decided in regard to the funding of the Youth Employment Agency.

: This boy is only being screened at the moment.

: He is only being screened — he has not yet been appointed.

: He is with the CIA at the moment.

: Is he operating with the permission of the Minister of State or with the permission of the Minister for Labour or is he completely on his own?

: The Deputy's question is purely statistical.

: It relates to the funding of the Youth Employment Agency.

: It is clear that the appointment of someone with such preeminent qualifications was a matter of interest——

: Did the Minister say he is a politician?