asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of the great inconvenience caused to Department of Defence workers on Haulbowline Island, who reside on the south side of the river, and who are at times compelled to travel by road from Cobh to their homes in Passage, Monkstown and Ringaskiddy, he will arrange to have the naval launch service for the use of naval personnel and other Department of Defence employees which operated until the early years of the emergency, provided again.

I have had this request sympathetically considered but I regret that having regard to the commitments involved a service cannot be made available.

Is the Minister not aware that this service operated during the emergency but due to reports from certain quarters it was suspended?

I am aware of that, but there is a number of other difficulties the Department of Defence could not possibly overcome. For that reason, it would not be possible to provide a service.

Is there not a launch at Haulbowline standing by all the time and available for certain individuals?

There was never a service available there except for a period during the emergency. It would not be possible.