asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the introduction of a pension scheme for the civilian workers employed in his Department.

The question of introducing a pension scheme for civilian employees of my Department is under consideration. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that this question, which is primarily one for the Minister for Finance, is complex and involves not only my Department but many other Government Departments.

Would the Minister say whether any decision has been made or any reply given to the trade union request made about this matter?

I would need notice of that question.

The Minister is sitting too close to the Minister for Local Government. He is beginning, unfortunately, to get his bad habits.

He will never be as rude a man as that.

I asked a very simple question of the Minister.

I have not got the answer here.

If the Minister can give a reply to Deputy Healy of his own Party that the question of introducing a pension scheme is under consideration, surely his Department should be able to reply to trade unions in the same way to a question put to them several weeks ago?

I answered the question put down by Deputy Healy and that is the question I was expected to answer.