I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 24, 25 and 27 together.
I am informed by the Ceann Comhairle that during the week which began on 25th January, 1971, two reporters from England were engaged to supplement the normal reporting establishment attached to the Houses of the Oireachtas and that during the present week it is proposed to employ three such reporters. These steps have become necessary because of the temporary additional demands on the reporting staff caused by the current proceedings of the Committee of Public Accounts.
The reporters from England were engaged by the Ceann Comhairle on a contract basis with an agency in London. Neither the Ceann Comhairle nor I is aware what the agency pays to the individuals whom it supplies.
In addition, a former Editor of Debates who is now on pension has been employed at the maximum of the rate appropriate to a Reporter. The scales for Reporter are from £1,595 to £2,300 for a man and from £1,295 to £1,845 for a woman. Furthermore, a former lady member of the reporting staff is engaged at the rate appropriate to casually-employed reporters, viz £2 5s a day attendance fee plus £1 8s per 10-minute take.