andMr. Enright asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the procedure whereby Deputies direct representations to the Secretary of his Department is now being altered to channel representations to him or his Minister of State.
48.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deputies Representations.
47.
andMr. Enright asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there has been any recent change in the issue of replies to Deputies' queries by his Department.
49.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has issued a directive, or other oral or written instruction, to the Secretary of his Department, that all queries and representations by Deputies, must be through his private office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 49 together.
The answer in each instance is no. The procedures are the same as those which have always existed in the Department.
In other words, it still takes about four months to get a reply?
The Deputy is again making a statement.