asked the Taoiseach the new legislation it is proposed to introduce before the Christmas recess.

I will be in touch with the Opposition Parties in regard to business which will be initiated in the Dáil before the Christmas recess.

That does not answer the question. The question asked is a specific one as to what legislation it is intended to introduce. Could we have an answer to the question?

The situation is that this is normally done by way of verbal communication between the Whips. We know at this stage that the Appropriations Bill has to be introduced. There was a Bill circulated this morning, the Gaeltacht Bill. There is the possibility of one or two other Bills being moved, by long or short title, before the Christmas recess but those are not yet clear. Normally the Government side are not in a position to make long forecasts in relation to measures of this nature.

I was not asking for long-term forecasts; just a short-term weather forecast. What I want to know is, given the short time between now and the end of this session, what legislation is to be brought in in the period between now and the Dáil going into recess in about ten days' time? That is a reasonable request at this stage. The Parliamentary Secretary should be in a position to answer it. He can hardly be in the position that he does not know what he is bringing in next week.

The situation is that we are being asked what is being introduced——

(Cavan-Monaghan): Between now and next week.

Including next week, There are the possibilities of——

We are now having a debate on this matter.

There is the possibility of one, two or three Bills being introduced next week.

Which?

I am not in a position to inform the House yet.

That is some speech from the throne.

I am calling the next Question.

I did offer earlier. Might I ask one supplementary question?

If the Deputy would make it quick.

Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it is intended, as promised, to introduce a Bill in this session dealing with the abolition of existing residential ground rents?

That is one of the Bills I was talking about.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary now telling us that it is intended to introduce such a Bill?

I am not saying that it is not intended.

Does a double negative make an affirmative?

Question No. 2.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether he proposes to introduce the Transport Bill before Christmas?

The question has been answered. We have allowed a number of supplementaries; we are not having any more. Will Deputies please co-operate?

(Cavan-Monaghan): The Taoiseach was asked last week.

The question has not been answered.

Question No. 2.

I said "No".

I have called the next question.