On a point of order, as we are seven minutes late in starting Question Time. I presume we will be allowed seven minutes extra for questions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers.
The late start is no fault of the Chair.
I did not think it was. Can we have agreement on that?
It is agreed that Question Time will continue until 3.37 p.m. Question No. 1.
You may be able to give me some guidance. The written reply yesterday to my Question No. 305 to the Minister for Energy does not correspond with the statement made by the Minister for the Gaeltacht in the Irish Independent on 30 January 1984.
Deputy Connolly——
I am trying to be helpful.
But you are not being helpful. We have already agreed to extend the time to 3.37 p.m.
That is why you should listen to me.
Will the Deputy listen to me for the moment? He is bringing up an item which is creating argument and that is not what we are about.
It is very far from argument. You know me. I am a long time here and I never run myself into too much argument except on issues of a fundamental nature. How do I correct an error in regard to misleading information which will be written into the record of the House? The Minister for the Galetacht stated in the Irish Independent on 30 January——
Deputy Connolly, please. If you wish to discuss the question and the answer you received I will be available after Question Time. In the meantime I have called Question No. 1 and, with your co-operation, I would like to get on with business.
I tried that before but got nowhere. There were innuendoes and everything else.
You did not try it with me.
The Minister, Deputy O'Toole, says that the Bellacorick power generating station in County Mayo is remaining open and the Minister for Energy says this is not happening.
Deputy Connolly, you are being totally disorderly.
I do not wish to be disorderly.
You are being disorderly, whether you know it or not.
Far be it from me to be disorderly with you.
I have already made an offer to you. If you wish to see me on this matter after Question Time I will be happy to meet you.
I thought you might be able to clarify for me and the House——
Not at the moment.
We are in a position where this could arise again.
You are running yourself into a peculiar position.
I asked senior Members who have been over 30 years in the House how to cope with this awkward situation.
While I am standing, will the Deputy please sit down? I have already indicated that I have called Question No. 1. I am quite prepared to meet you after Question Time to discuss the problem, without innuendoes. I would be grateful if you would allow me to get on with the business of the House. We have already extended Question Time by seven minutes but you have wasted six minutes and there are many important questions to be answered. I have made my ruling.
Will you give me the right to raise this matter on the Adjournment if I so wish?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will you give it very careful consideration?
I will give it extremely careful consideration.
I would be very grateful because it is a very important matter as far as the whole region is concerned.
The Deputy has got his answer.
I feel I should apologise to you and the House for the discourtesy in being a little late at the beginning of Question Time. I was involved in a discussion just slightly out of earshot of the bell. I ask you and the House to forgive me for that. No discourtesy was intended.
Was it in Buswells?
It was not in Buswells. It was in a far more constructive place than that.
That is no reflection on Buswells.
It is no reflection whatever on Buswells, God forbid.