asked the Minister for Justice when the gardaí will be supplied with suitable summer uniforms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Uniforms.
17.
(Cavan): It is expected that all members will be supplied with summer uniforms within the next two months.
Could the Minister explain the reason for the delay in this matter; whether it is suggested that they should be available now?
(Cavan): I could. Following recommendations, an order was placed in July, 1972 with the Controller of Stores, Department of Posts and Telegraphs, for a sample of material to an agreed specification. That sample did not arrive until March, 1973 and a limited number of new style shirts were made from that sample and supplied to the force in June, 1973. Bulk supplies of the new material were ordered in August, 1973 and became available only in July, 1974, Adequate supplies of all materials are now available, and all the required——
Is it not very peculiar that, with all we read about recession in the textile trade, it takes nine months from the time of the ordering of the sample, years and years apparently, when Irish factories are crying out for work and contracts; that the Department of Posts and Telegraphs who carry responsibility as well as the Department of Justice could not place these contracts?
(Cavan): The Department of Posts and Telegraphs act merely as ordering agents. The trouble has been continuing here since April, 1972.
Question No. 18.
With your permission, Sir, I should like to postpone Questions Nos. 18, 30, 31, 32 and 33 until the Minister is here to deal with them. Some of the latter ones are very important. I know the Minister answering now is not responsible for that Department.
It is usual to give the Chair earlier notice of this, Deputy.
It arose only out of the unsatisfactory answers I have been receiving to questions up to now.
It leaves the Chair and the Minister in a very difficult position.
(Cavan): I bow to your ruling, a Cheann Comhairle, but I am quite prepared to answer all the questions on the Order Paper directed to the Minister for Justice.
Might I draw the Chair's attention to a precedent—on the very first occasion when I was answering questions, on the Government side of the House, I found myself with the brief of the Minister for Finance at an hour's notice. I found it very difficult to answer some questions, except to give a reply such as —"I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the Minister." Both Deputy Tom O'Higgins and Deputy Oliver J. Flanagan withdrew their questions, with the consent of the Chair.
(Cavan): I can assure the Deputy that I did not receive this brief at an hour's notice. I went into these questions with the Minister for Justice last night.
Would the Deputy please repeat the numbers of the Questions involved?
18, 30, 31, 32 and 33. The Vietnam questions are the most important ones. If the Minister would prefer to proceed with Question No. 18, that is all right.
Does the Deputy want Question No. 18 replied to now?
I realise it is late notice but, if the Chair would agree to the postponement of Questions Nos. 32 and 33—about which I am most concerned—I will let the others go ahead.