asked the Minister for Defence if he will re-introduce the Easter military parade and, if not, why.

It is not proposed to hold a military parade at Easter this year due to the existing heavy demands on the Defence Forces.

Will the Easter parade be held next year?

The Deputy must be aware of the difficulties that would arise if we were to have a military parade this year.

What are the problems about holding the Easter parade this year?

Two or three weeks before the parade it would be necessary to withdraw from active service for training and rehearsals those who would be taking part in the parade. This would put a very great strain on the remainder as regards duties and aid to the civil power.

Will the Minister accept that we do not have enough personnel and that our recruiting campaign has not achieved its target? Would he consider the reserve forces taking part in the parade?

I do not accept what the Deputy said. I gave the reasons why the parade is not being held this year. While it is not possible to hold the parade in 1980 the practicability of doing so in the future will be kept under review in the light of the operational commitments of the Defence Forces.

I take it that what the Minister said is that he had not sufficient personnel to do the duties which those personnel who would be involved in the parades were doing. Is that the answer he has given to the question?

No, of course it is not.

Of course it is. That is the answer I got. Would he tell me the answer?

I have already told the Deputy.

Has the Minister been requested by the Taoiseach to investigate the possibility of having a military parade not this year but next year? If not, could he indicate whether the report in last weekend's newspaper was accurate in relation to the proposal which apparently emanated from the Taoiseach that he was to have a military parade in 1981?

I am not responsible for reports in the newspapers.

I appreciate that, but did the Minister receive a request, formal or informal, from the Taoiseach's Department about the possibility of a military parade in 1981?

No. I have already told the Deputies that we will keep this matter of a parade at Easter under review and decide on it in the light of the operational commitments of the Defence Forces.

Has Deputy Haughey asked the Minister if there will be a military parade in 1981?

He might as well say yes at this stage.

I have already given a reply. I do not see why I as Minister should be asked that type of question. The answer is no.