asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of personnel who will be retained in residual in his Department after the vesting date of An Post and Bord Telecom Éireann; and if he will outline the functions which will be retained in his Department.

The number of personnel is approximately 120. They will be employed in a new Department of Communications which, as the Taoiseach announced in the Dáil on 27 October, will undertake the functions of the residual functions of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

The principal functions are: general public policy and legislation in regard to telecommunications, posts, broadcasting and radio; capital budgets for telecommunications, posts and broadcasting; functions and powers reserved to the Minister under the Broadcasting Authority Acts; management of the frequency spectrum; international policy aspects of posts, telecommunications and broadcasting; control and licensing of wireless telegraphy apparatus.

Will the Minister have a job after 1 January 1984?

I think so.

In the Department of Posts and Telegraphs?

In the new Department.