asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí involved in Border security; the additional number engaged since the Anglo-Irish Agreement; the cost of this security; his views on whether additional gardaí should be deployed to patrol the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is established practice in the public interest not to disclose details of the numbers of gardaí involved in Border security. The costs associated with Border duty are not separately compiled and the allocation of scarce Garda resources to the task of compiling them would not be warranted.

The number of gardaí assigned to duty in Border areas is kept under constant review to take account of changing needs and circumstances.

I appreciate the Minister is not keen to give some of the details asked for in the question but perhaps he will indicate whether additional gardaí were deployed on Border duty since the Anglo-Irish Agreement and, if so, how many?

Additional gardaí have been deployed on Border duties.

(Limerick East): The Minister recently attended a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference in Stormont. Does any extra cost arise from the announcement subsequent to that of a joint RUC-Garda task force?

The Deputy should know that such information would not be helpful and that it was not given in the past when sought by members of the Opposition after meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference.

(Limerick East): That reply is a ready-made formula for not answering questions in the House. I asked if, as a result of the announcement of a joint RUC-Garda task force subsequent to the last meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference, extra cost would arise. That is a legitimate question, not a security one.

If additional numbers of gardaí are assigned by the Garda Commissioner to the Border divisions, naturally there will be an additional cost involved.

(Limerick East): Has this extra cost to be catered for in the existing Estimate?

That is so.

(Limerick East): Consequently, less money will be spent on the rest of the country?

Yes. If additional manpower is required in Border divisions, it can only come from other divisions.

(Limerick East): Is there any question of extra funds being allocated to cater for such a decision?

No. The Deputy knows perfectly well that no additional moneys are available to any Department for any reason for 1987.

(Limerick East): Will there be a Supplementary Estimate?

Definitely not.