asked the Minister for Defence (a) the names of bands under the aegis of his Department which have appeared abroad in the last five years, and (b) the number of engagements fulfilled by each such band.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Band Appearances.
38.
(a) An Army pipe band accompanied each of the ten units of the Permanent Defence Force which were sent to the Congo and each of five units which were sent to Cyprus including the 5th Infantry Group which is serving there at present. In addition, the brass and reed band of the Western Command was sent to Cyprus with another unit. No other bands under the aegis of my Department appeared in the last five years.
(b) No engagements other than performances of a routine military nature were fulfilled by the bands sent to the Congo and Cyprus.
Is there any danger that the Minister for Defence may decide to disband the band and buy a transistor set to which they can march?
The Deputy can rest assured I have no such intention.
We must wait until Deputy Lenihan, the Minister for Justice, is transferred to that Department.