asked the Minister for Defence what is the position as regards recruiting into the naval service; and how many (1) officers and (2) men have been recruited in each year over the past four years.

As I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on 14 Aibreán, 1964, it is the intention of my Department to recruit as many men as possible for an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh within the limits of Establishments. The numbers of officers appointed and men recruited during the past four years are as follows:

Has the Minister enough personnel to man more than one corvette?

No.

Would the Minister consider it necessary to start a recruiting campaign immediately?

We have done that already and, as I told the Deputy on several occasions, we offered extra seagoing money without success.

Give them more money.

Deputies seem to think this is entirely a question of money but I am advised it is not.

This Deputy thinks the Minister is not trying hard.

Seven pounds a week.

Is the Minister aware that he is offering less money to seamen than any shipping company or any Navy in the world? That is why he is not getting recruits.

We have to relate these matters to the fabric of remuneration here in Ireland and not to what is earned in tramp ships all over the world.

Even tramp ships pay more than the Irish Navy. The Irish mercantile marine pay more.

You will not pay anything; you would not use the money to do it.