asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if he is aware of the potential danger to life and property from the re-entry into the earth's atmosphere of the unmanned American Skylab space laboratory which official American sources consider may land in the region of Wales or Ireland and if he has consulted American authorities on this matter.

I am aware of the possible danger to life and property from the re-entry into the earth's atmosphere of Skylab. I have been in touch with the appropriate American authorities and I have been assured that there is no danger of Skylab or any debris therefrom falling within Ireland's latitudes.

This is a reversal of the normal sequence in this House, I cannot resist adding. Having been down to earth we are now going up in the air, but not, I trust, with a bang.