asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for the decision not to amend the Garda Síochána Retirement Regulations so as to enable members who hold medals without bar to serve to sixty-five years.

It is considered that an amendment of the Garda Síochána Retirement Regulations on the lines suggested would not be in the interests of the efficiency of the Force.

Would the Minister say how many men would be affected if such an order were to be made? Is it not a fact that it would be only a very small number?

It might run into thousands.

The Minister knows that there would not be so many involved.

I know as much as about it as the Deputy and perhaps more.

Would the Minister say why it is that men with the bar can serve and men without it cannot?

That is a separate question.

Is it because some of the men without the bar are crippled? They have been insulted enough already.