asked the Minister for Justice the number of walkie-talkie sets in use in Dublin city.

I presume the question relates to the number of such sets in use in Dublin by the Garda Síochána. The number in daily use is over 750 and a further number is kept in reserve for special needs.

Would the Minister comment on the fact that it is commonly rumoured in the Garda force that only three of the 750 sets were working during the St. Patrick's Day parade? The rumour is that 20 of the sets were without batteries and only three of the 750 sets were working.

The Deputy asked me a straight question and he was given a straight answer. I cannot deal with rumours the Deputy might like to throw across the floor of the House. There are 750 sets there and I am told——

Are they working?

The question only refers to the number of sets.

The Garda Headquarters report that approximately 12 to 15 of the 750 sets I mentioned would be in the radio workshop for repair in any one day but this number could be higher, possibly up to 40, on a Monday because the workshop is closed for the weekend.

Can the Minister give the House an assurance that in the case of a garda on patrol duty with a walkie-talkie the apparatus is in working order——

This is neither the time nor the place for rumours of three sets working out of 750——

It is something more than rumour.

I am calling the next question.

I do not say it is a fact because I have not established it, but the information I have was strong enough to lead me to put down a parliamentary question about it. When a Deputy puts down a parliamentary question it is a serious matter and should be treated as such.

I have called Question No. 14. We are only having statements now.

It is meant to be a serious business.

I want to say——

The Deputy is not entitled to say anything. This is Question Time.

The gardaí are not either.

I should like the Minister to categorically deny the information which was passed to me that only three walkie-talkie sets were working out of the hundreds in use on St. Patrick's Day in Dublin city.

The Deputy asked a specific question. The question is about the number of walkie-talkies working in Dublin. I have given him the information and have also volunteered information that there have never been more than 40 — this only happens on a Monday — broken down out of the total number of sets. I have no knowledge whatever of the situation which he believes is stronger than rumour.

I have called the next question.

Will the Minister write to me about it?

I will convey to the Garda Commissioner the Deputy's comments on what happened on St. Patrick's Day.

I do not want the Minister to do that because he will read the report in any case. I am asking the Minister to investigate it and write to me about it.

I shall bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Garda Commissioner, who has overall responsibility for seeing that these sets are maintained.

We have a washing of hands.

Order, please. I have called Question No. 14.

It is more walking than talking.