asked the Minister for Defence the average weekly hours of duty for members of the Permanent Defence Forces on security duty; and whether some troops, in particular, in the Border areas are doing duty for 70 hours per week.

The incidence of security duties in Border units compares favourably with the situaction in other operational units throughout the Defence Forces.

Circumstances can arise on occasion in which some personnel may be required to perform duties for up to 70 hours in a week. This figure would normally include elements of stand-by duty.