asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to introduce a five-day week for gardaí and members of the Prison Service.

The hours of duty of members of the Garda Síochána come within the terms of reference of the Commission on Garda Remuneration and Conditions of Service, which is sitting at present. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to say anything on the subject.

Any such proposals in relation to the Prison Service would fall to be dealt with through the medium of the Civil Service conciliation machinery.

Is there any prospect of these matters being attended to expeditiously?

Which matters?

The question of a five-day week for the gardaí and the hours for members of the Prison Service.

I have informed the House that the question of a five-day week or otherwise for the gardaí is a matter for the Commission which is now sitting. In the Prison Service the hours of work are 42½ hours a week, I think, and there has been no request from their official trade union or association for a five-day week.