Michael Ring
Ceist:4 Mr. Ring asked the Taoiseach the number of people on the live register in Ballina, Castlebar and Westport and in County Mayo. [5779/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Live Register.
The number of persons on the live register at the end of January 1999 is as follows: Ballina, 2,778; Castlebar, 1,029, and Westport, 978. The total for County Mayo is 8,611.
I thank the Minister of State for the information. What plans does the Government have to deal with the serious unemployment problem in County Mayo?
That is not relevant. The Deputy asked for the number of people and he received that information. Does the Deputy have a supplementary question relevant to the information given?
Yes. What plans does the Government have to deal with unemployment in County Mayo?
The Deputy should table a separate question. The Minister of State is not responsible for policy.
It is a question.
It is long standing precedent in the House that questions relative to statistics—
It is a case of all questions and no answers.
The Deputy should table an appropriate question to the appropriate Minister. He is not allowed pursue matters of policy on questions such as this.
I tabled my question to the Taoiseach and the Minister of State replied to it.
We are dealing with the Deputy's question.
I want to make a point.
The Deputy cannot make a point. He can only ask a supplementary question.
The figure is 1,000 less than in January 1997 when the Deputy's party was in Government.
It is higher because 100 jobs were lost in Charlestown and 37 jobs were lost in Ballinrobe. Other jobs were lost in Swinford.
The Deputy is being disorderly and he should resume his seat.
What does the Government plan to do about unemployment in the area?
That question is not appropriate.
I put down a question and I am not getting an answer.
The Deputy did not table that question. If he tables such a question, he might get an answer. The Deputy sought only the numbers. He should resume his seat if he does not have a supplementary question relevant to the answer.
I asked the Taoiseach to make a statement on the matter but that did not appear in the reply. The Minister of State gave only the figures.
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
I am very disappointed.
The Deputy has an opportunity to table other questions on the matter.