asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the post of economic adviser to his Department previously held by a person (details supplied) has yet been filled and if the filling of this post has been in any way affected by the fact that an economic adviser (details supplied) has been appointed to the personal office of the Minister of State.
Written Answers. - Departmental Post.
172.
The Deputy will be aware from his period as Minister for Industry and Commerce that the then Minister for the Public Service refused to sanction a post of economic adviser in this Department. Instead, approval was obtained for the creation of a post of Special Adviser in the Office of the Minister. When the officer appointed to this post resigned, there was no question of a post of economic adviser in the Department being filled for the simple reason that such a post did not exist on the Department's staffing complement. I have not exercised my right to have an economic adviser appointed to my Office.
For the reasons outlined above, the appointment of an economic adviser to the Office of the Minister of State has not affected the Departmental position.