asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the plans, if any, to utilise the vacant Ferenka buildings at Annacotty, County Limerick, for industrial purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ferenka Buildings Plan.
5.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if a suitable alternative industrial use for the former Ferenka factory has been found to recommence work at the factory, and, if so, when and how many jobs will become available.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
Efforts to obtain a replacement industry for the former Ferenka factory at Annacotty, County Limerick, have been unsuccessful so far. I understand that the Industrial Development Authority are now drawing up proposals——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
(Cavan-Monaghan): It is no wonder that we have strikes within Government and State-sponsored bodies——
Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
(Cavan-Monaghan): The industrial relations situation is in a shambles and the blame lies with the Government——
The Chair cannot permit this disorder to continue and Deputies cannot expect Ministers to repeat replies.
If Ministers came here and answered questions——
I expect Deputies to have more respect for the House and allow Question Time to be conducted properly. The Chair cannot conduct Question Time against the determined disorder of Deputies who refuse to obey him. There is nothing else the Chair can do but adjourn the House.
On a point of order, I think it was an oversight that question No. 4 was not answered.
I rose to ask a supplementary question to question No. 4.
Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 have been answered.
(Cavan-Monaghan): On a point of order, might I respectfully suggest——
I would point out to Deputy Fitzpatrick that his refusal to obey the Chair was the cause of the answers not being heard. The Deputy stayed on his feet against the Chair's ruling and did not permit Deputies to hear the answers to their questions.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I have been extremely patient about this matter over the last two weeks.
In relation to the reply to question No. 4, which was whispered, could I ask the Minister of State how many sample surveys were conducted at the present Administration?
What question is being dealt with at the moment?
We are on question No. 6. It is only with the Minister's concurrence that I will allow the Deputy's supplementary to be answered. If the Minister wishes he may answer.
Is he embarrassed by the question?
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan-Monaghan): Arrogance, shout down the Opposition.
The coalition were never once guilty of this type of smart alec performance. Never once in four-and-a-half years did a Minister refuse to repeat an answer.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Eighty-four seats.
Order please. Deputy FitzGerald wishes to say something.
Shouting "84 seats" will not get us anywhere. I am asking about question No. 4. The order of the House requires that when questions are called the answers are given in an orderly manner and not rushed through so that nobody can hear them and that an opportunity is given for a supplementary question, which in this case was not given. I accept that the fault is by no means confined to one side of the House. We must have an orderly method of answering questions.
I thoroughly agree with what the Deputy said but there are circumstances prevailing over which the Chair does not have any control. The Chair cannot control Deputies, like Deputy Fitzpatrick today, who persist in speaking against the ruling of the Chair. When I called questions Deputies did not listen; they kept shouting. Seven questions in 30 minutes is not the kind of progress we expect to make at Question Time. The Chair cannot be blamed for the disorder in the House if Deputies refuse to——
In the last Dáil, the present Minister for Labour trampled on the Chair, day in and day out, and never once did a Minister refuse to repeat the answer to a question. This is a disgusting performance.
Question No. 7.
(Interruptions.)
In view of Deputy FitzGerald's apology on behalf of Deputy Fitzpatrick I am willing to repeat the answer to Question No. 4.