Will the Minister indicate——

I am calling the next question.

On a point of order. I wish to protest at the attitude of the Chair to my supplementary questions. In relation to Questions Nos. 14 and 15 the Chair was very quick in not allowing me to ask what I considered to be important questions. I do not want to have a row with the Chair——

The Chair will not enter into an argument.

I am entitled to ask supplementary questions on important issues.

The Deputy must resume his seat.

I am protesting about this matter.

If the Chair is erring in any way at Question Time it is by permitting too many supplementary questions, many of which are not relevant. As I have stated here on the few occasions on which we have met since the new Dáil assembled, other Deputies who have put down many of the 500 questions are anxious that their questions be reached also.

With respect to the Chair, if the Ministers would answer the questions put to them there would not be supplementary questions.

We are not entering into a discussion on the matter.

This is a serious matter. Will we be afforded the protec- of the Chair when we seek to elicit information? Very often it happens that Ministers refuse to give the information we require. Can the Chair protect Deputies who ask questions?

The Chair has no control over whether a Minister answers a question or how he answers. My difficult task is to ensure that there is order and it is difficult when two or three people are on their feet at the same time, sometimes asking questions when the next one has been called. We must have order at Question Time. I do not want to make a long statement on the matter; it is not usual for the Chair to do so. One Deputy complained that he was not allowed to ask more questions but I think I must have permitted him about ten supplementary questions.