Before the Minister answers the first question, lest I be ruled out again on the basis of time, let me ask permission to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Education the serious situation in Galway regarding the deferrment of at least eight school building projects, namely Our Lady of Mercy College, Woodford and seven VEC schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers.
I will communicate with Deputy Treacy. Before commencing Question Time let me say a word. I am satisfied that the vast majority of Members of the House and the parties are not satisfied with the progress that is being made at Question Time, or that the best use is being made of Question Time. For example, yesterday, despite the best efforts of the Chair only a handful of questions were disposed of. For the guidance of Members I would remind them that supplementary questions (1) must be totally relevant to the original question (2) must not impart information, for example, not keep asking the Minister if he is aware of certain matters (3) must not be argumentative. Also the Chair decides on the number of supplementary questions which may be asked. It is disorderly once he has called on the next question for a Minister or a Member to continue to deal with the preceding one. These are obvious and commonsense rules and Standing Orders require that I ensure their observance. I ask for the co-operation of Members in the matter so that Question Time may become more effective. I propose to tighten up the enforcement of Standing Orders at Question Time. In fact, I was publicly asked to do so by a very responsible Member of this House yesterday. I hope that we will not have any wrangling or argument and that the Chair's rulings will be accepted, and I trust that they will be reasonable.