andMr. Enright asked the Minister for Energy if there has been any recent change in the issue of replies to Deputies' queries by his Department.
26.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deputies' Representations.
25.
andMr. Enright asked the Minister for Energy if the procedure whereby Deputies direct representation to the Secretary of his Department is now being altered to channel representations to him or his Minister of State.
27.
asked the Minister for Energy 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. 25, 26 and 27 together.
I have not issued any general directions requiring that all queries and representations by Deputies should be channeled through my private office.
Since my Department has been established so recently it would hardly be correct to say that a procedure for dealing with such matters has been established by precedent. However, I see no reason why a rigid rule should be adopted in this regard and, in the case of correspondence from Deputies of a non-representational nature received in the Department otherwise than through my office, I would regard it as a matter for the officer dealing with the matter to decide whether he should reply in the normal way or whether there were circumstances which would suggest that the reply should be channelled through my private office.
Would it be fair to ask the Minister to say if he regards the answer he has just given as a model answer which all his colleagues should have given as well in reply to similar questions?
This seems to be a separate question.
I am not aware of the replies given by my colleagues to similar questions.
It is a very different style of answer to that given by the Minister now.
Would the Minister circulate it to his colleagues?
He might have a chance of having more influence over them in the future.
Deputy O'Keeffe, please. We had enough trouble yesterday.