It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24, 7, 8 and 25. It is proposed to interrupt business at 7 p.m. to take Nos. 7, 8 and 25.
Order of Business.
I put down a question to the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Justice regarding the fact that Seán Mac Stiofáin and armed members——
The Deputy received a reply on that matter and cannot raise it in this fashion. This is disorderly.
The answer I got says that the question contains personal imputations. I have nothing like this against you, good, bad or indifferent. One of those people is already wanted for a speech he made at Killarney.
The Chair explained to the Deputy why the question could not appear.
Surely we are entitled to know how a man could have a bodyguard around him, a man who is a wanted member of the council of the IRA. These people were not apprehended. We are entitled to ask what is happening in this country at present. Is there any justice left in the country? Why is the question not being answered here by the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice?
It is not a matter of the Taoiseach not answering the question. The Chair ruled it out of order because it was not in accordance with the orders of the House.
Surely they are wanted people. Why were they not apprehended?
I have a question down for reply for the past three weeks. Is there any indication when I am likely to get an answer to the question I put to the Minister for Justice concerning the search of the home of a member of my party? Is there any way the Chair can tell us how long we are expected to wait for answers to questions?
It is not a matter for the Chair. It is a matter for the Deputies to allow questions to continue with a little more speed.
It has been proved that even with the number of questions on the Order Paper, no matter what time is given in the House, there will be delay in answering, if we are to take note of what happened last week and the week before. Is there any way we can get through the questions in the coming week?
We did not do too badly today.
There is nothing the Chair can do about speeding up replies. If the Deputy wishes to have a written reply to his question, I will see that he gets it immediately.
I would like a written reply to Question No. 256.
Should there not be an open invitation to all Deputies in the House to look at their questions to see whether written replies could be given to them? There are dozens of questions that might not need supplementary questions.
That is a very good proposal, particularly in regard to questions of fact.
The Chair will be very glad to have replies issued if Deputies indicate that they will be satisfied with written replies.