asked the Minister for Justice the increase in the cost of maintenance and running expenses of motor transport for the Garda Síochána in the financial years 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60 and 1960-61, as compared with the amount required for these purposes in the financial year 1955-56.

The cost of maintenance and running expenses of motor transport for the Garda Síochána during the financial years in question was as follows:

The comparative figure of cost for the year 1955-56 was £50,287.

The vehicular strength of the Garda Síochána fleet was 344 on 31st March, 1961, as against 204 on the 31st March, 1956.