I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £65,010 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending. 31st March, 1947, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Garda Síochána (No. 7 of 1925, No. 10 of 1926, No. 5 of 1937, No. 19 of 1941, Nos. 1 and 17 of 1945) and for payments of compensation and other expenses arising out of service in the Local Security Force (No. 19 of 1946).

This Vote is entirely due to the increase in the cost-of-living allowances of the Gardaí. The system under which it is arranged is that a pay order is prepared but that pay order cannot be issued until the Garda Representative Body see it and have an opportunity of making any representations they wish to the Minister. I cannot give any details of the increases until I have seen the representative body. With savings, the actual amount we are looking for is £65,000.

Will the Minister say whether the pay order is drafted?

Yes, it is ready. I expect to see the representative body shortly.

Would the Minister say whether the amount granted covers the demands of the representative body in respect to their total claims? Have the negotiations concluded?

I think I can say that we have met them fairly but when the actual pay order is issued, they have the right to make further representations. I hope they will be satisfied, but that remains to be seen. I think they probably will be. I cannot say if they are satisfied until they have seen the pay order.

You are not giving them the Northern Ireland scale?

No, but, on the whole, they are not doing too badly.