asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of additional staff appointed in his Department and the changes made in personnel since 15th March, 1973; the reasons for the additions and changes; and the names of staff employed on public relations and their qualifications for such offices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Posts and Telegraphs Department Personnel.
53.
My Department has nearly 20,000 employees including temporary, casual and part-time staff in about 100 different grades. These are employed at over 2,000 centres throughout the country. There is no centralised record of changes in personnel and the assembling of the information asked for by the Deputy would be unduly costly in both time and staff.
The Department's information officer is Mr. Francis Ryan. He was appointed to the post on 13th March, 1973, by the then Government in the public interest. I assume that in the circumstances the Deputy will not be interested in the question of his qualifications, but if he requires information on the point I am prepared to provide it.
Could the Minister explain why it is that his colleagues were able to deal with a question such as this by referring to the changes which took place in the normal way and then specifying special changes, say, in the Minister's office, but it was impossible for the Minister to do so?
It was also remarkable that it was Deputy Lemass who put down this question and not Deputy Colley.
If Deputies require information about my private office I should certainly be glad to answer them. If there is any particular matter that is troubling Deputies I should be glad to answer it here and now but as the question was framed, the answer submitted to me was the answer prepared by my officials and was, I think, the normal answer.
The last line is typical Cruise-O'Brien.
Ministers have their rights also.
This is another example of members of the present Government who do not even consult with each other.