asked the Minister for Education whether any change is contemplated in the method of ensuring the proper custody of exam papers in the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations; and whether he is satisfied with the present methods the breakdown of which recently caused such hardship for students sitting for those exams.

The normal strict security precautions were taken this year in relation to the safe keeping of the intermediate and leaving certificate examination papers. Explicit directives in this regard are contained in the code of instruction for superintendents.

In view, however, of the extreme lengths to which persons were prepared to go to steal papers I propose to arrange in future that the Garda Síochána will be asked to retain custody of the boxes containing the examination papers.

Will there be any extra assistance or remuneration given to the Garda Síochána for such extra duties in view of the continued involvement of the Garda Síochána in dealing with State property and the growth thereof?

May I ask if the gardaí will be given the duty of taking these papers to the examination centres or will this job devolve on the superintendents who are appointed by the Minister's Department?

I cannot answer this question at the moment but I should think that if they retain custody of them until the morning of the examination the papers will be properly protected between then and the time they reach the examination centres.