asked the Minister for Justice whether the Government have accepted, or propose to accept, the award of the Garda arbitration board; and whether immediate effect will be given to the recommendations contained in the report.

66.

asked the Minister for Justice what action it is proposed to take on the arbitration award on the Garda pay claim; and if he will make a statement in the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer questions Nos. 65 and 66 together. As I mentioned in reply to a question on this subject on 9th July the Arbitration findings were received by myself and the Minister for Finance on that date for submission to Government. This has been done.

As acceptance of the Arbitration findings would cost the Exchequer an additional sum of over £1,100,000 in the present financial year their examination by the Government involves consideration of the financial implications of their acceptance in relation to the Budgetary position as well as of other factors which arise in matters of this kind. The Government expect to be in a position to announce their decision in about a fortnight's time.

Will the Minister bear in mind that for some time there has been discontent among members of the Garda Síochána at the way in which they have been treated in respect of pay and that there is a sense of frustration throughout the Force at the way in which promises of improved pay were made in the past but were not fulfilled, and in order to allay discontent——

There are implications in this supplementary question that I must object to.

Would the Minister not recommend the increase to be paid to the Gardaí, even while the House stands adjourned?

There are implications in the question that I object to. I have no evidence of discontent among the Garda Síochána.

Call a meeting and you will soon see.

The conciliation and arbitration machinery was availed of by the different representative bodies and the whole question dealt with through this machinery as expeditiously as possible. As I have indicated in the reply, the arbitration findings were delivered to myself and the Minister for Finance only on 9th July and I have promised that the Government will announce their decision in about a fortnight's time.

Would it be in order to ask if Deputy Norton will vote for the necessary taxation?

If the award was accepted by the Government, could payment be made during the Recess or must the Gardaí wait until the reassembly of the House before payment is made?

If the Government were to accept the award, payment could be made at any time.