asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that some members of the Garda Síochána are compelled to pay income-tax on rent allowance despite the fact that such allowance invariably falls short of the rent paid, while other members hold quarters free and are not taxed on this concession and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider making a suitable adjustment in the present rent allowance.

All rent allowances received by members of the Garda Síochána are and always have been liable to income-tax. I do not consider that this provides any ground for increasing the allowances.