asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state on the same basis as stated by him in a reply of the 20th February, 1958, the total salaries and wages of the postal, telegraph and telephone services for 1957/58 and 1958/59.

The following table shows in respect of the year 1957/58 for each service the total salaries and wages charged as expenditure, expressed as a percentage of the total receipts, credited as income, in the published commercial accounts. An estimate only is shown in respect of the year 1958/59 as sufficient information is not yet available to give final figures. Salaries and wages of staff in connection with capital development and renewal works are excluded as these are covered in the commercial accounts by interest and depreciation provisions.

Might I ask, Sir, if you would permit either the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice to make a statement in the House before the adjournment tonight—certainly before the House adjourns for the week-end—in connection with the decision of the Government authorising a police raid on a parochial house in my constituency?

No intimation of any kind was made to me that this would be raised.

I gave the Ceann Comhairle notice last night.

The Deputy asked me to allow a Private Notice Question. I disallowed it.

On what grounds?

I am not going to discuss the grounds here. I disallowed the question.

The Government may be prepared for the question next Tuesday.

I cannot allow the Deputy to proceed in that irregular fashion.

Next Tuesday they will answer.