Why is it that a large number of young men who had applied for enlistment in the Defence Forces and who had received notification to attend for interview were subsequently informed not to attend and that the interview had been cancelled?

(Limerick West): I do not have any information with regard to that but if the Deputy can give me instances where that has happened I will have them examined. All the people who signed on at the local barracks were called for interview and were interviewed. As a result 400 recruits were taken into general service.

I will be very pleased to give the Minister the information I have. I have been informed that a large number of men in the Moate area who had been notified to attend for interview were subsequently told not to bother——

It is not required that the Deputy give the information now.

Is the Minister aware that the widely held belief in the Moate area is that the reason they were not called was because the Minister for Education had arranged for others from Athlone to take up the vacancies?

(Limerick West): That is not the situation. I strongly refute that statement. If the Deputy gives me the necessary information I will have it examined.