asked the Minister for the Environment the total amount of money he has allocated to publicise the referenda on the sixth and seventh Amendments to the Constitution and the steps he is taking to encourage people to vote in this referendum.

The Government have allocated a sum of £40,000 to the referendum returning officer for the purpose of informing voters of matters relating to the referenda. The referendum returning officer is undertaking a publicity campaign involving advertising on radio and television and in national and provincial newspapers. Deputies will, no doubt, have already seen the first advertisements. Further steps to inform voters at local level are being taken by local returning officers.

With regard to the question of encouraging people to vote, I would refer the Deputy to the Taoiseach's statement in the House on Tuesday last of the Government's plans in this regard.

I know the House appreciates the importance of these two constitutional amendments and I appeal to Deputies to play their part in ensuring the maximum voter turnout and that the amendments will be approved by the people on Thursday next.

In the context of the Taoiseach's statement to the House on Tuesday last, could the Minister explain why the Government Information Service have not undertaken a publicity campaign prior to the issuing of the postal votes for the referenda? Is the Minister aware that this publicity campaign will be completed after the public have voted by postal vote?

I cannot answer for the Government Information Service.

In his reply the Minister referred to the arrangements which have been made. Is it correct to say that the number of leaflets relating to the referenda amount to 4,500 per Deputy? If that is so, does the Minister accept that that figure is an indication of lack of Government interest as there is not sufficient literature for each voter in the average constituency?

Questions on these matters were answered during the week.