asked the Minister for Defence if the families and victims of the Glen of Imaal explosion have been fully compensated.

All claims made under the Army Pensions Acts have been met. This entails payment of allowances to two widows and their children and a disability pension to one of the injured. Gratuities of one year's pay due under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes have been paid to the next-of-kin of all five men who were killed.

Additional claims for compensation were made by two of the personnel who were injured and by the next-of-kin of four of those who were killed. Settlements have been made, so far, in three of these cases. The Chief State Solicitor has been in communication with the solicitors involved in the remaining cases with a view to finalising the claims.

Is the Minister aware of great resentment in parts of Cork because of the Department's attitude concerning offers of compensation made?

I am not so aware. There are two matters involved. There are pensions with Army involvement which have been fixed and paid and then there are civil awards which could arise in some cases as a result of agreement and in other cases as a result of settlement in court. I am not aware of any feelings of animosity towards the Department.