asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the burning of a house belonging to a member of the Garda Síochána in Dundalk which is the second such incident there in the last nine months.

(Limerick East): The answer is “no”.

I have already indicated in response to a question by the Deputy about the earlier incident to which he refers that it is the long-established tradition in this house that the Minister for Justice does not make statements about the details of particular crimes or the progress of Garda investigations and that it would indeed be impractical for him to undertake to do so.

Is the Minister aware that four members of the INLA were residing almost next door to Garda Greene's house? Is he further aware that one of these members of the INLA went missing after the burning of the house? Can the Minister assure this House that this man is being pursued by the Garda Síochána?

(Limerick East): It would not be proper or practical for me to make detailed statements on particular crimes of the progress of Garda investigations. Garda investigations are continuing.

Would the Minister agree that two of these incidents have occurred in this area since the disbanding of the divisional task forces? Would he agree that the intelligence gathering and surveillence operations of the divisional task forces are very important to avoid this kind of incident occurring in future?

(Limerick East): I would not so agree.

Does the Minister accept that this is an open threat to the forces of law and order in Dundalk? Is he aware that this is symptomatic of what is happening in Dundalk, much of it due to the influx of terrorism from across the Border?

(Limerick East): I am very aware of the problem that subversive organisations present in the keeping of the peace in this jurisdiction. On the question the Deputy asked, it is not practical for a Minister to give responses to questions on particular crimes when investigations are still continuing.