asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the name, rank, salary, allowances and terms and conditions of employment of advisers and assistants, other than civil servants, at present employed by him or his Minister of State.

2.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of personal contract assistants employed by him and his Minister of State; the cost of each; and the overall cost to the taxpayer.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. As indicated in my written reply of 7 July 1983 to Question No. 313 from Deputy Fitzgerald, one such person has been appointed by my Minister of State.

The details are as follows:

The foregoing appointment will be co-terminus with the term in office of the present Administration.

Is it true that an extra assistant secretary was appointed to the Department, notwithstanding the public service embargo, and that this post was created to accommodate a former special adviser to the Taoiseach?

That is a separate question. The Deputy's question was in relation to personal contract assistants.

Surely the Minister has the information in his brief? Surely he could extend the courtesy to tell us that an extra position was made in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the position of assistant secretary?

I have not got the information in my brief. It is an entirely separate question and if the Deputy wants a reply he should put down a separate question.

I will do so.