I would like to have some information, a Chinn Chomhairle, as to the procedure adopted in answering starred questions. When is a Deputy who puts down a starred question supposed to get an answer to it?
ANSWERS TO STARRED QUESTIONS.
On the whole matter of answers to questions, I am afraid the position is not very clear to some Deputies. A Deputy who puts down a question is not necessarily entitled to an answer at all. Answers to starred questions are printed in the Official Report, and a copy is sent to the Deputy as soon as we receive it. In some cases, and it was so understood at the time when starred questions were first put down, there might be a certain delay before the answer could be given. Answers to some of the questions have been considerably delayed, and I have asked the Minister for Defence to go into the matter.