158 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the decision to close the civil defence stores and to restrict activity in the training school; and if he will make a statement on his Department's plans for the long-term future of civil defence. [3275/97]

My Department has not closed the civil defence stores or restricted its school training activity. As regards the future plans for civil defence, the Towards 2000 programme clearly sets out the long-term goals and objectives of the civil defence organisation.