asked the Minister for Justice if the Government's commitment to provide helicopters for the Garda Síochána still stands; and, if so, if he will indicate if they will be provided in (a) this year; (b) 1983; (c) 1984; (d) 1985; or (e) thereafter.

19.

asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of providing an aerial wing for the Garda Síochána; the number of helicopters involved; and, if he will confirm his statement on the RTE radio "Day-by-Day" programme in January last that haybarn type facilities would suffice as hangars.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.

The Government's commitment to provide the Garda Síochána with their own aerial capacity stands. Because of the many and complex technical problems that are involved in selecting the right type of machines for Garda needs, as well as selecting the equipment to go with them and providing the necessary back-up facilities, it will take some time to complete the planning for the new aerial wing.

In the meantime the Garda authorities at my request have submitted their proposals for the leasing of helicopters to meet their needs on an interim basis and these proposals are under active consideration by me at present. Until I have completed my examination of the proposals I cannot say precisely when helicopters will be provided, or how many or what the cost will be. However, it is the Government's intention to have the facilities provided as soon as possible.

I did not, on the radio programme mentioned in the question, make the statement attributed to me by the Deputy.

Can the Minister indicate when is it his intention to commence a leasing arrangement in relation to helicopters? The matter is now on the Minister's desk and can he indicate whether tenders for helicopters through a leasing arrangement will be made available to the Garda this year or in 1983?

As soon as I have come to a final conclusion helicopters will be provided.

Can the Minister indicate whether he is treating this as a matter of urgency? If it is a matter of urgency is it not patently obvious to the Minister that helicopters, through a leasing arrangement, could be made available by 1983? Is the Minister putting this matter on the long finger? Would he please come clean and tell the House what his intentions are?

I reject the Deputy's insinuation that I am in some way unclean. I am not putting anything on the long finger.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister tell us when the helicopters were promised? I remember a public announcement being made about it a considerable time ago. Can the Minister give us a date — can he tell us when the announcement was made concerning the provision of helicopters for the Garda?

When I have arrived at a final conclusion it will be announced.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister tell us when the announcement was made about the provision of helicopters for the Garda?

I made the announcement again today. I have made it on several occasions.

(Cavan-Monaghan): When was the first occasion?

Our commitment in Opposition will be honoured in Government.

When was it made?

I can tell the Deputy when the decision was rescinded by his Government by his Minister for Justice. The commitment given by Fianna Fáil in Opposition will be honoured in Government and there will be no danger that we will U-turn and somersault like Deputy FitzGerald's Government did.

Given that it takes several years to train a helicopter pilot, how many members of the Garda are receiving training with the ultimate view of piloting helicopters?

Arrangements were made and members of the Garda were invited during the Fianna Fáil period of Government up to June 1981. When the Government changed, the Coalition Minister for Justice abandoned all these arrangements, and that included the invitations sent out to Garda stations throughout the country inviting members to apply.

Are these invitations being reactivated?

Everything connected with the establishment of a helicopter wing for the Garda has been reactivated.

How many members of the Garda are, as the Minister would put it, at this point in time, receiving training in helicopter flying?

He will not answer.

That is a separate question.

Will the Minister concede that in January last year, as Opposition spokesman on Justice, he canvassed the possibility of helicopters being hangared in haybarns and that as a result of that people are likely to take this proposal less than seriously? May that not be the reason why gardaí are not applying?

I said "hayshed erectors", not "haybarns".

Is the Minister aware that though promises may have been made, there was not enough money in the 1981 Estimates to provide even pay for the Garda, and that the September 1981 Government had to introduce a Supplementary Estimate because there was not enough money to pay the Garda, never mind providing helicopters?

Certainly there is no provision for helicopters in Deputy Mitchell's Estimate at 27 January 1981.

The Minister did not answer the question. Is the Minister aware that there was not enough money in September to pay the Garda that weekend?

The Minister is aware that money was not provided in the budget of 27 January 1982. The then Coalition had not provided anything for the Garda, including equipment, apart from helicopters.