A double negative in one of yesterday's leading articles resulted in a statement that was the opposite of what was intended.

It should have said that it was difficult not to agree with the strong case made by the defence chiefs for a forces complement of in or around 11,500.

Information on two items in the What's On column yesterday were incorrect.

Spring Festival 2000 at St Iberius Church, Wexford, takes place in April, not this weekend. And the Cork Naturalists Field Club meets tonight at 8 p.m., not last night as stated, in the Cork County Cricket Club, Mardyke Road. We regret any inconvenience caused.

Senator Mick Lanigan was incorrectly named as Michael Flanagan in a picture caption on page 8 last Wednesday.

Where errors occur it is the policy of The Irish Times to correct or clarify as soon as practicable.

Readers may contact the Readers' Representative's Office by telephoning 01-679-2022 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Outside these times they may contact the Duty Editor