It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 9 (Resumed), 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the type of replies we are receiving from Ministers and members of his Government which indicate nothing to me or to anybody else?
They are probably in Irish.
They are not even in Irish. I am sure the Taoiseach is not aware of this, but Members of the House are being treated with contempt when they receive replies of this kind from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
The Deputy should not make a speech but ask a relevant question.
Is the Taoiseach aware that backbenchers of the Government parties are now receiving departmental briefs before attending public meetings in their constituencies?
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): In the Deputy's time they brought cheques with them.
I refer to a meeting which was held last night in my constituency. Deputy Alan Shatter and Minister Kelly arrived complete with briefs. Will the Taoiseach look into this and make those briefs available to all Members?
If the Deputy asked me, I would be delighted to give them to him.
This is very important and the Taoiseach should reply.
The Deputy never asked me to do so.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
The Taoiseach should reply.
Can the Minister for Education give any indication of when the Intermediate Certificate results will be out?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is very apt because it would go some way towards alleviating the anxiety of parents and pupils.
The Deputy should put down a question in relation to that.
I raised a matter and, if the Taoiseach is not prepared to reply to it in open forum in this House, we should refer it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because it is a breach of privilege that this type of contempt is shown by the Government parties for backbenchers in Opposition. Replies and departmental briefs are being given out to Members of the Government but not to Members of the Opposition.
If it is in order for me to reply, I am anxious to do so. I am not aware of the Deputy's complaint because my eyesight does not enable me to see what he is waving.
I can hardly read it myself.
Is the Deputy sure it is not a doctor's prescription?
May I present it to the Taoiseach?
That is very kind of the Deputy.
I hope the Taoiseach can read it.
I see the Deputy has had the courtesy of an acknowledgement, something I often failed to get from Departments when his party were in Government. I am glad that the system is working.
I hope the Taoiseach never got a reply like that from any Department when we were in Government.
Having said that good humouredly I am concerned that there is a failure to acknowledge correspondence at times in Government Departments. People are entitled to know that their communications arrive and get replies in a reasonable time. If the Deputy has any problems about not getting a reply in a reasonable time, he should raise the matter with the Minister concerned. If he is still dissatisfied the Deputy can talk to me about it any time. I want to ensure that all Deputies get adequate replies.