asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the house of Mr. John Mellett, a member of the Clare County Council, residing at Ballybaun, Kilfenora, County Clare, was raided by members of the C.I.D. and Gárda Síochána, in or about 2 a.m. on Monday morning, if he will state the object of the raid, and whether, in view of the peaceful state of the county he will issue instructions for the discontinuance of such raids.

Members of the Gárda Síochána visited the house of Mr. John Mellett as stated on Monday morning at 2 a.m. They searched the house in pursuance of a warrant issued under the Firearms Act. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

Does the Minister not consider it unreasonable and undesirable to search a man's house at that hour of the morning for firearms when they could search during the day, and particularly when there were children in the house?

That is a matter on which it is very hard to lay down general principles.