asked the Minister for Defence if there will be any cutback in Naval Service activities due to the reduction being made in the estimate for patrol duty allowance and for the maintenance of vessels.

No. A cut-back in Naval Service activities is not envisaged.

The Estimate allowance for patrol duty is down from £190,000 to £110,000. The allowance for vessels is down from £8 million to £5 million. On maintenance of vessels it is down from £500,000 to £400,000. Will those reductions have a serious effect on the amount of duty which can be carried out by the Defence forces?

I think the Deputy is mistaken here. This year a certain amount of money could be spent on overhauling a vessel but next year she would not need the same overhaul and less money would be required. Therefore, that would not entail a cut-back in the accepted sense of the word. Money is provided when it is needed.

Would the Minister agree that as a result of this cut-back only 25 per cent of the time necessary will be spent on duties?

I have answered the question. There is no cut-back on Naval Service duties and it is not envisaged either.

If there is a reduction in the Estimate does that mean that there will be a scarcity of men?

I have explained the position.

I am talking about patrol duty. There is a serious reduction.

It is a matter of operational considerations. We are never short of money for a worthy object. The Deputy knows that.

I am concerned about the reduction in the Estimate. It means one of two things, that one has not the men to do the duty or one is going to have to cut-back on the duty. Which is it?

We are providing for a very efficient Naval Service.

22.