Perhaps the Minister could clarify which Department is responsible for drafting this legislation? Is it the Department of the Environment or the Minister for Justice who will bring in this legislation, if and when it is drafted?

The Department of Justice is very much involved in this area as is the Department of the Environment. The Deputy would not know, but I am presently discussing with my colleague in the Department of the Environment the possibility of leaving this whole area to him, or his leaving the whole area to me. Might I say to the Deputies who are smiling that my predecessor in the Department of Justice and the predecessor of Deputy Barrett in Environment had already reached an agreement in this sphere?

What is the Minister discussing if agreement is reached?

It is a pity Deputy Barry did not know what was going on.

What chance have we of legislation if the Minister does not know who is to deal with it?

Would the Deputies like me to read out the day, date, chapter and verse?

If the thing was agreed what is the Minister discussing?

I am seriously trying to establish responsibility. To whom do we address questions? Some questions down were referred to another Minister. This is important and perhaps the Minister could say. The previous Government made a decision in principle regarding which Department should be responsible.

The previous Government did not make the decision in principle.

I was given to understand that they did.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the present Minister make one, please?

We will make decisions.

(Cavan-Monaghan): When?

When we are ready.

Order.

Can the Minister make a decision now and inform us whether he or his colleague will be introducing this legislation?

It did not worry the Minister before June.

All questions to me as Minister for Justice on the Order Paper are my responsibility, and all questions to other Ministers are their responsibility, and whatever Minister introduces legislation into this House would be introducing it on behalf of the Government of the day.

Do I understand that the question of legislation governing flat-dwellers, including rents, will be a matter for the Department of Justice and not a question relating to the Department of the Environment? This is a reasonable question. We do not wish to waste time by asking questions of a Minister who does not have responsibility to answer them. Perhaps the Minister could help us.

Is there an answer at this stage? Could the Minister give us a decision as soon as possible, if he has not the answer now?

When the legislation is brought to the House the Deputy will clearly see what Minister will be responsible for it.

(Cavan-Monaghan): In the meantime the flat-dwellers fall between two stools.