-----but has been given a post hoc validation by the decision of the Department of Health which invests quite an amount of money in seagull controls on its building in Hawkins House. I understand a number of other high rise buildings in Dublin are considering doing likewise. While I am in flight I would like to speak about the recent activities of the Russian airforce and its manoeuvres with its planes which have nuclear capacity playing hide and seek around the west coast of Ireland with the RAF.

Maybe it shot down the hen harrier.

Some of the articles on the issue in the Sunday newspapers were quite alarming. I know there are two sides to every story but Mr. Putin is adopting Cold War, ridiculous and quite dangerous and threatening activities, ag cur bagartha ar a chéile, mar a déarfá, and I think something should be done about that.

Still on defence matters, I read with interest, as I do every Sunday, Eoghan Harris's excellent article. He proposed that the 1916 celebrations should be primarily based on the Defence Forces. I do not necessarily agree with that proposal, I am not a militarist. However, I was shocked when he stated that were we to adopt that policy we would not have enough soldiers to maintain a presence on the particular day at the various locations - the GPO, Ashtown, Wexford and wherever else people mustered on that famous day. I am concerned about that. We are very proud of our Army, both commissioned officers and enlisted men. It is time the Minister for Defence came to the House to explain the reason our Army has been reduced so much. I know the Provisional IRA has gone out of action, hopefully for good, but there are other elements that are not, the Continuity IRA, Real IRA and other IRAs. One only realises the value of the Defence Forces when one needs them. I want the Minister for Defence to give an audit on our Army numbers and also an audit of Army property around the country.

The Senator is way over time.

Most small towns had their own Slua hall, many of which are lying empty and in a state of disrepair. Some have been got rid of but we should have a look at them in light of the article to which I have referred.