The Minister will recall that during the debate on the Emergency Powers legislation he gave an undertaking to the House that Deputies who might be approached by constituents anxious about relatives taken into custody would have access to the Minister or to his office. I would be grateful if the Minister would repeat that assurance because on many occasions access to a Deputy and through a Deputy to the Minister's office would reassure members of the general public in these difficult situations which arise from time to time?

Of course, I will repeat that reassurance. Lest anyone might think that there is need to repeat it in the sense that access was not made available, I want to make it quite clear that no Deputy has approached me in that way. I am not suggesting that the Deputy is implying that but the Deputy's question could infer that.

A number of Deputies are offering I will hear one final question. Deputy Halligan please.

Can I ask a question?

I will facilitate the Deputy.