asked the Minister for Defence why there was no bomb disposal expert available in Limerick on the night on which bombs were planted in three hotels; and if he will now arrange that an expert be available in Sarsfield Barracks at all times.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Bomb Disposal.
41.
Something has gone wrong with my file, I am afraid.
That is not surprising.
Do not blame me.
Forgetfulness.
Just mixed up.
I will answer it myself. I have not got the Departmental answer. I do agree it is worrying that there was not immediate bomb disposal availability in Limerick on the occasion. In June, that is, next month, we will have, I think, six bomb disposal officers ending their course. We cannot send a person in to defuse a bomb unless he is a skilled officer who has done his course and it is quite difficult. There is no question of difficulty about money, no question of difficulty about equipment. The difficulty is to have the top officer available on the job. We will have either five or six available in June and then we will be able to cover the country a bit better but it is 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there is Limerick, Galway, Cork, Dublin and all the other places all along the Border. I want to assure Deputy O'Malley that his question to me is a help because it indicates the problem as it is. I would hope that within three to four months we will be better off.
The Minister mentioned June, which is next month. Then he mentioned three or four months.
First there are the officers. Next you have to get the NCOs and men all trained. It is a very difficult situation.
Would the Minister agree that the optimum places to have these officers and men available would be in the larger centres of population?
I would totally agree with the Deputy, yes.
Would the Minister agree that men would be made available in Limerick as soon as possible?
Indeed. I would also say to the Deputy that I am indebted for his question. I am dissatisfied.
Could I have the permission of the House to take the remaining questions to the Minister?
Is there any activity in bringing in the robot or mechanical unit that one sees in operation in Northern Ireland in the event of a suspected bomb?
That was requisitioned by the sub-committee of the Cabinet at least a year ago. These things cannot be bought. We await them. The people can be satisfied that we are anxious to see to it that security will be at absolutely top level and as far as we are concerned any question of bombing or what you like will be well dealt with. If I am dissatisfied in Limerick, so is Deputy O'Malley. That is the way it is. We will do our very best.
May I ask a supplementary in view of the fact that Deputy Lemass got the privilege of asking one? Is the Minister aware that were it not for the activities of some of Deputy Lemass's former colleagues in Fianna Fáil we would not have these subversives so actively engaged now?
The Minister for Justice opposed legislation to protect the State.
Does the Deputy remember the time he was in Kerry in 1954?
The Deputy was not even born. Deputy O'Malley's forebears were wearing blue shirts.
Question No. 42.