asked the Minister for Defence the number of resignations of senior officers from the Naval Service in the past year.

No senior officer resigned from the Naval Service in the past year. One senior officer retired on age grounds with effect from 25th September, 1968, and permission has been accorded to another senior officer to retire voluntarily with effect from 1st May, 1969.

32.

asked the Minister for Defence the total present strength of the Naval Service in relation to its normal complement of officers and men.

The present strength of officers and men in the Naval Service as compared with Establishments is as follows:—

33.

asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the condition of the corvettes of the Irish Naval Service from the point of view of the safety of those serving on them.

I am satisfied, as a result of a survey in 1966 and subsequent refits, with the condition of the corvettes LE Cliona and LE Maev from the point of view of the safety of those serving on them.

The third corvette, LE Macha, is at present undergoing the normal periodic survey by the marine surveyor of the Department of Transport and Power.

34.

asked the Minister for Defence whether the vessels used by the Naval Service are equipped with Asdic echo sounding equipment.

Asdic equipment has been removed from the corvettes. These vessels are equipped with echo sounding equipment.