asked the Minister for Justice the number of attacks on members of the Garda Siochana since 5th July, 1977; and the number of cases in which arms were used.

13.

asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons charged in connection with attacks on members of the Garda Siochana since 5th July, 1977.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.

The records show only the more serious assaults, namely, those classed as indictable offence. On that basis, the number of assaults against members of the Garda Siochana in the course of their duty during the period 5th July to 30th September, 1977 was 181 and firearms were produced in seven of these cases. So far 191 persons have been charged in connection with these assaults, including six persons in cases where firearms were produced.

Does the Minister accept that the figures must give rise to great apprehension among the public, and can the Minister tell us whether he has any suggestions to improve the situation?

I have many suggestions, some of them already in operation, as the Deputy should be aware, to help the Garda to do the job they are meant to do, but I do not think I would be in order to give a full outline of what I propose to do.

Has the Minister any proposals for an immediate increase in Garda membership?

The Deputy will probably be aware that a considerable extra number of man-hours are being worked by the force in an effort to combat crime. He probably also knows that there will be a large number of gardaí available for duty by Christmas and that still more will be on duty by early January.

Is it not true that despite the best efforts of the Garda, these figures must give rise to great alarm, and does the Minister think that other measures should be considered at this stage?

I am quite prepared to examine the possibility of introducing other measures in an effort to improve the situation——

Would Deputies please go back to the practice of resuming their seats while a Minister is speaking?

The Deputy will agree that I have made very good use of the time available to me in this office to do something concrete about this matter.