(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that some building societies look much less favourably on applications for finance to purchase self-contained flats, than to purchase houses, and that some building societies do not entertain such applications? Would the Minister agree that that is unreasonable and will he do something about it?

That is a separate question and the Minister may not answer it.

(Cavan-Monaghan): It is a general question asking the Minister to do something to protect the interests of flat-dwellers. I am asking the Minister to ask the building societies to treat applications of would-be flat-dwellers the same as would-be house owners. It is relevant and arises directly from the question.

The question as far as I can see deals with legislation and not with building societies.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Yes, but the Minister can legislate for building societies too.

It relates to the same subject but it is not a relevant supplementary question. The Deputy knows that as well as I.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I respectfully submit that the Chair must have made too rigid a New Year's resolution on what is relevant and what is not relevant.

The Deputy will appreciate that matters remotely associated with questions cannot be permitted. They only give rise to debate which is not permissible at Question Time.

Would the Ceann Comhairle agree that the word "relevant" means "relates to the same subject?" How does the Chair distinguish between the two?

The Standing Order says elucidation of the matter in the question is permissible.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I do not wish to quarrel unduly with the Chair, but might I respectfully suggest that one of the interests of flat-dwellers is to be able to get finance to purchase a flat and surely that would be one of the ways of protecting the interests of flatdwellers. That is what I am asking the Minister to do or to arrange with one of his colleagues to do.

We are not having a debate. These remarks seem to crop up mainly in relation to new Deputies. The question relates to legislation. The Deputy is asking a question about finance companies and their attitude towards flatdwellers. The question is related but is not a relevant question for supplementary questions. There is no doubt about my ruling on that.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I would ask the Chair to have another look at Questions Nos. 13 and 14 and in all seriousness I suggest that my question is relevant.

Question No. 55 on the Order Paper to the Minister for the Environment covers the point raised by the Deputy.

I am calling Deputy Quinn who wishes to ask a supplementary.