asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to erect houses in Dunfanaghy, County Donegal for members of the Garda Síochána.

Under the present Garda building programme, centres such as Dunfanaghy, where the strength of the force does not exceed three, qualify for the provision of one house or one set of married quarters.

As there is already a set of married quarters in the station building in Dunfanaghy, the provision of an additional house or houses is not contemplated at present.

Is that a hard and fast law and does it apply despite the fact that the three members of the Garda in Dunfanaghy are married men?

There is no guarantee that they will remain there. It is a hard and fast regulation over the whole country. Otherwise, we would have surplus residential accommodation.

There is no danger of it.

Not in Donegal. Plenty of people would be glad to live in a house like that in Donegal.