asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to introduce legislation in the near future to amend the Acts relating to malicious damage.

It is not proposed to introduce legislation to deal with the Acts referred to in the question.

Is the Minister aware that during the past six years the ratepayers of Dublin have paid £60,000 in claims under the Malicious Damage Act and at the moment that there is one claim alone pending which will cost £20,000? The Dublin ratepayers have every reason to be concerned——

Speech.

——regarding the great increase in the claims that have come before the court.

Speech.

Is the Deputy asking a question?

Would the figures given not indicate to his Department that it is time the matter were reexamined?

That is a separate question.