asked the Minister for Local Government the total amount collected in rates from (a) commercial property and (b) private property in Dublin in each of the past five years.

The information requested is not available in my Department.

Is it possible to get this information from Dublin Corporation?

We have got the total amount of rates collected by the Dublin Corporation but we have not got it in the form in which the Deputy asks for it.

Why is that information not available to the Minister's Department?

Why is it not?

I do not think it should be very difficult to get this information.

It is a matter for Dublin Corporation.

Why is it not available?

The Deputy could request it himself from Dublin Corporation.

I am not on Dublin Corporation.

Deputy O'Connell as a Member of this House has sought information on the rates paid to Dublin Corporation. I think it is not in order for the Parliamentary Secretary to tell him he can get the information himself. There is an obligation on him to answer the question.

It is not available in our Department.

Did the Minister's Department seek the information?

A Minister can only be compelled to give information which is in his own Department.

How can Deputy O'Connell get it from Dublin Corporation?

A Minister is responsible for the information which his Department has.

He can get the information.

I will put down another question.

Will Deputy Murphy allow questions to proceed?

24.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will outline his proposals for easing the burden of Dublin city rates on the private ratepayers.

The Deputy's attention is directed to the effective steps taken by the Government to protect ratepayers from the full impact of increases in the cost of local services by the substantial increases in the level of State grants and subsidies in relief of such costs, particularly in recent years. The Government have every intention of continuing this policy.