asked the Minister for Defence the number of commissions appointed by him which are at present functioning, the respective dates of their appointment and the subject matter for consideration by each commission where this is not apparent from its title.

There are no Commissions at present in existence which were appointed by me or for which my Department is responsible.

33.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of inter-departmental committees appointed by him which are at present functioning, the respective dates of their appointment and the subject matter for consideration by each committee where this is not apparent from its title.

On 29 Meitheamh, 1960 I established an advisory body entitled "An Chomhairle um Chosaint Shibhialta" ("The Civil Defence Council"). The functions of An Comhairle are:

(1)to ensure that the peacetime activities of the various bodies charged with the development of Civil Defence will be effectively co-ordinated;

(2)to consider generally all matters in relation to Civil Defence planning and to suggest any organisational developments of Civil Defence which it may from time to time regard as desirable.

Eight Departments including my own are represented on An Chomhairle. This is the only inter-departmental body appointed by me which is functioning at present.