asked the Minister for Defence the extent of the expenditure undertaken by his Department in respect of equipment designed for riot dispersal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Riot Dispersal Equipment.
45.
It would not be in the public interest to disclose information of the kind sought by the Deputy.
Could the Minister not indicate if any recent purchases of this kind have been made?
I am not prepared to disclose information with regard to the acquisition or purchase of such equipment.
I have in front of me a photostat of a waybill for 7,240 long range CS gas shells, costing nearly 50,000 dollars, which were imported into this country in February, 1972, and will he tell us for whom these 7,240 gas shells are intended?
If the Deputy has all that information, he should not have to ask me about it.
Are the Government in a position to protect the people if there are any further marches such as we had in the case of the burning of the British Embassy?
That is a separate question.
Will they be in a position to protect the people and their property in the event of further demonstrations like that?
They could send some up North.
I know, but the Minister should tell us whether they are or not.