asked the Minister for Justice the reason the Garda Band are unable to accept an invitation to play at the festival of West Cork in Clonakilty as in former years and if he will ensure that the band will be available in this and other provincial venues.

I am informed by the Commissioner that, due to prior engagements and other duty commitments, it will not be possible for the band to accept the invitation to play at the Festival of West Cork in Clonakilty, on 3 and 4 July. I am also informed that every effort is made to ensure that the services of the band are made available as fairly as possible on a countrywide basis. There is, of course, a limit to the number of engagements in any year and the fact that the band have played at a particular event in the past cannot be a guarantee that they will be available for that event in a subsequent year.

On a point of order, I did not hear the beginning of the Minister's reply. Could I ask him to repeat the first two sentences.

Repeat 23.

I will do what is correct, and that is what I am doing. To repeat the reply:

I am informed by the commissioner that, due to prior engagements and other duty commitments, it will not be possible for the band to accept the invitation to play at the Festival of West Cork in Clonakilty, on 3 and 4 July. I am also informed that every effort is made to ensure that the services of the band are made available as fairly as possible on a countrywide basis. There is, of course, a limit to the number of engagements in any year and the fact that the band have played at a particular event in the past cannot be a guarantee that they will be available for that event in a subsequent year.

A ministerial salute—the fairy-tales of Ireland.

Is there a cut-back in the outings of this band to provincial centres for the current year?

No.

Could the Minister indicate how many such outings there were last year?

Ninety-six.

How many are proposed this year?

Ninety-six.

The Deputy missed out there.

I think we might look at Clonakilty again.

I do not think it is a marginal constituency.

There is no question of it being a separate question there.

That is the first straight answer we have had. Congratulations to the Minister.

(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach is the most relieved man in the House that he got away from Nos. 20 and 21.

If Deputies opposite gave the Minister of State a chance they would get them all straight like that.