ML OF NEW YORK VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT A, 485BPOS, EX-99.10C, 2000-07-10

ML OF NEW YORK VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
485BPOS, EX-99.10C, 2000-07-10

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                                                                EXHIBIT (10)(c)

                       CONSENT OF BARRY G. SKOLNICK, ESQ.

      I hereby consent to the reference to my name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-4 for certain variable annuity insurance
contracts issued through ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account A and
included in the prospectus included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-4 for certain variable annuity insurance
contracts issued through ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account B of
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, File Nos. 33-43654 and 33-45380.


                                      /s/ BARRY G. SKOLNICK
                             -----------------------------------------
                                          Barry G. Skolnick
                             Senior Vice President and General Counsel

July 7, 2000