asked the Minister for Defence if any progress has been made regarding the acquisition of headquarters for the FCA at Drimoleague, County Cork.

23.

asked the Minister for Defence when his Department will purchase the premises formerly known as the Caroline ballroom, Drimoleague, County Cork, for the purpose of being used as a training quarters for the FCA in South-West Cork.

(Dún Laoghaire): I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.

The question of whether an offer will be made for the purchase of premises at Drimoleague for the use of An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil is at present under consideration.

: In view of the fact that this question has been in abeyance for the past nine months, I should like if the Minister would give a clear indication to the House——

: On a point of information, Deputy Walsh rose to ask a supplementary question. I should like to draw the attention of the Chair to the fact that Deputy Walsh had this question down some weeks prior to it being placed by Deputy Sheehan.

: That is not a point of information.

: May I ask the Chair whether it is proper for a Deputy to repeat a question which has appeared on the Order Paper in the name of a Deputy from another party and then to get priority in the matter of supplementary questions?

: That is not a point of order. With regard to the supplementary question, out of courtesy to Deputy Walsh I wish to point out that I heard Deputy Sheehan before I saw either Deputy and I called him.

: Bó bhradhach.

: Will the Minister indicate to the House what steps his Department will take with regard to this serious matter? The purchase of the premises has been under consideration for quite a while——

: I ask the Deputy to confine himself to putting a question.

: When will the matter be finalised?

(Dún Laoghaire): The architects in the Office of Public Works were asked to inspect the premises and they have to report. A report from the military authorities is awaited also with regard to the suitability of the premises.

: Will the Minister state if the military advice available to him has recommended the purchase of the premises for use by the FCA?

(Dún Laoghaire): The recommendations of the military authorities are awaited at the present time.