asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if all staff employed at present in the stores branch of his Department will be guaranteed continuity of employment in that branch after the vesting date of Bord Telecom Éireann and An Post.

Staff of my Department, whether employed in the stores branch or elsewhere, will retain the security of tenure applying in the Civil Service on the vesting of An Post and Bord Telecom Éireann. In particular, staff designated by me for employment by the new companies are guaranteed continuity of employment under section 45 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983.

It will be a matter for the new companies to decide, in consultation with their staffs, on their internal organisation and on the deployment of their staff after vesting. It would seem reasonable to assume, however, that staff employed in grades peculiar to stores branch work will continue to be employed on such work.

Will the Minister give an assurance — this matter has serious implications for the staff involved — that the staff will have continuity of employment in the stores area and, if necessary, will be transferred to the other departments involved or given that option? Will the Minister give an assurance that there will not be any loss of jobs or status after vesting day, 1 January 1984?

Staff in my Department, whether employed in the stores branch or elsewhere, will retain the security of tenure applying in the Civil Service on vesting day. What more guarantee does the Deputy want?

We want them to be engaged in the employment they are doing at present, not some other job.

That will not be my choice.