asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether increased rates of pay for Army personnel, especially for the general ranks and junior officers, are under consideration.

Increases in pay for members of the Defence Forces were approved by the Government in 1949 and became effective from the 1st September, 1949. I furnished particulars of these increases to the House on the 25th October, 1950, in reply to a question by Deputy Peadar Cowan.

No further increases in pay for any members of the Defence Forces are at present under consideration.

In view of the dissatisfaction that is felt in these particular ranks, does the Minister not think this is a matter that now merits review in so far as the general ranks and the junior officers are concerned?

Will the Minister not agree, in view of the recent Government decision to increase the salary of the chairman of the Electricity Supply Board by £1,500 a year, that this is a legitimate demand which should be met?

That has nothing to do with the question and is, therefore, quite irrelevant.

The supplementary question of Deputy Smith is purely mischievous and is, of course, entirely irrelevant. The supplementary question of Deputy Collins is at least to the point and, in reply to it, I have no evidence of general dissatisfaction in relation to the increases given 18 months or two years ago.

If the Minister gets evidence of that type of dissatisfaction, will he then be prepared to review the situation?

It is the simplest matter in the world to provide or provoke dissatisfaction by questions and supplementary questions.

They cannot all be golfing pals of the Taoiseach.

The best way to judge satisfaction or dissatisfaction is before any such supplementaries are asked.