asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Defence Forces are equipped with (i) rubber bullets, (ii) plastic bullets; and, if so, for what purposes they are so equipped.

27.

asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have ever used rubber bullets or plastic bullets detailing when and where they were used.

28.

asked the Minister for Defence if plastic bullets are part of the weaponry of the Army; if there is any situation in which he would justify the use of plastic bullets; if he rejects the use of plastic bullets and if he will make a statement to that effect.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 to 28, inclusive, together.

The Defence Forces have a stock of rubber bullets but do not have plastic bullets.

The use of rubber bullets by the Defence Forces has been suspended.

Rubber bullets were used by the Defence Forces at the Curragh Camp in August 1973, when one was used, at Portlaoise Prison in December 1974, when two were used, and at Ballina, County Mayo, in February 1976, when one was used.

Is it in line with Government policy that rubber bullets might be used on some future occasion and, if so, in what circumstances is it envisaged that they would be used?

The Deputy must not have heard the part of my reply in which I said that the use of rubber bullets by the Defence Forces has been suspended.

I did hear what the Minister said but my interpretation of the word "suspended" obviously does not coincide with the Minister's interpretation. Presumably rubber bullets are still in stock. Suspension means temporary. Are there any circumstances in which rubber bullets might be used in future by the Defence Forces or has a Government decision been taken that they will never again be used?

I cannot say if there are any circumstances in which they might be used — there might be.

Is the Minister aware of the public outcry, in which some Government Ministers participated, when there were serious injuries and deaths caused in the North by the use of rubber bullets. How does he reconcile this fact with his statement that there might be an occasion in future when the Irish Defence Forces would use rubber bullets?

The incident in the North to which the Deputy referred involved the use of plastic bullets and we do not have any plastic bullets in stock.

Is the Minister aware that there have been very serious injuries suffered by persons hit by rubber bullets and that people have died in the North after being struck by rubber bullets? If he is so aware, is it his view that rubber bullets should never again be used by the Defence Forces here?

I have already dealt with this question.

The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.