asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that many families are living in dwellings at McKee Park, Dublin which are in very bad condition; whether he has arranged to meet the people concerned to discuss the matter; and if he will give details of the housing situation for soldiers in McKee and Collins Barracks, Dublin.

The married quarters in McKee Park, which were built in 1954, provide a satisfactory standard of accommodation. At this stage however, they require some repairs which my Department are having effected. These repairs are the subject of discussions between the occupants of the quarters and the appropriate military authorities.

Four of the married quarters at Collins Barracks, Arbour Hill, have recently been built and are in excellent condition. The remainder of the quarters are very old and, as they become vacant, are not being re-allocated. It is proposed to demolish them and, in due course, to have them replaced by modern dwellings.

Is the Minister satisfied with the system of providing accommodation for the Defence Forces? The responsibility is divided between the Minister's Department and the local authorities and there is a feeling that members of the Defence Forces leave in order to qualify for houses. Would the Minister consider the position of providing houses for members of the Defence Forces because, at present, they are falling between two stools, the local authority and the Department of Defence?

I am aware that there is a conflict of interests here. It is the duty of the Department of Defence to provide married quarters for members who wish to avail of them and that is being done.

The Minister said it is the duty of his Department to provide married quarters but is the Minister aware that local authorities also provide housing accommodation for married personnel within the Defence Forces?

I am aware of that. I am pleased to say that, in this instance, Dublin Corporation have been very co-operative in rehousing occupants of old married quarters in Arbour Hill.

In view of the fact that members of the Defence Forces have been prohibited from contacting Deputies by directive of the Chief of Staff, would the Minister not agree that he should meet the people concerned to discuss the matter in view of the fact that he has been a very bad landlord and has put the responsibility for this matter on the shoulders of Dublin Corporation which has had the effect of transferring the Estimates for the Department of Defence to Dublin Corporation?

I will be in a position soon to issue a statement which will clarify the position. It is only in regard to service matters that members of the Defence Forces are prohibited from contacting their Deputies. I see no difficulty, particularly in regard to local authority housing, why a member of the Defence Forces should not have ample opportunity to discuss the problem with his local representative.