asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) on the re-equipment programme of the Defence Forces; if the details furnished in respect of the items of equipment which have been ordered are accurate; if the other data furnished is also accurate; and how this information comes to be available in national and foreign publications although the practice is to decline to furnish it when requested in parliamentary questions.

I have seen the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy and I am not prepared to comment on the details or accuracy of the information contained therein. As I have already stated in reply to another of the Deputy's questions, security considerations determine the extent and kind of information which can be given in relation to defensive equipment. Quite an amount of information regarding such equipment has already been furnished to the Deputy in reply to questions put down by him. If further information is required, perhaps the Deputy will submit a specific inquiry.

Do I take it from the Minister's reply that he will not confirm or deny that this equipment is to be purchased?

I will not comment on the accuracy of the report.

Will the Minister confirm or deny that the subject matter of the report——

No comment, for security reasons.