asked the Taoiseach if he will arrange for a Department to assume responsibility for the problem arising out of mountain rescue operations and in particular which will liaise with the Irish Mountain Rescue Association.

I am arranging for this matter to be considered urgently.

Would the Taoiseach ensure that the consideration to be given to it will in fact be urgent, because this association is entirely voluntary, has no resources of its own and it is essentially a question of arranging liaison between different Government Departments?

Yes.

Bearing in mind that the Kerry Mountain Rescue Association and the Galway Mountain Rescue Association are having difficulty in establishing which Minister is willing to deal with their claim and the outstanding costs of equipment, arising from the Veltmann search in March, 1981, of the order of £16,000 being borne by voluntary members, will the Taoiseach expedite the communication with the rescue associations so that the members can replace their equipment?

I appreciate the Deputy's interest in and anxiety about this matter. It has, unfortunately, been going on for a little too long. The association first drew attention in 1976 to the need to have some central Department to which they could relate. I can only assure the House that I will try to get it sorted out as quickly as possible.