When will the Minister announce the £12½ million contribution of the Government——

The Deputy could ask that question without making a speech.

I will have to ask you to protect me because every time I get on my feet to ask a supplementary question I am stopped.

The Deputy should ask a question.

I have not finished my question. I am asking the Minister if he maintains that nothing was done during his absence or that of his Government.

I did not say it.

That is what he implied. If he can explain that the cross-Border studies planned £50 million expenditure in the Border areas, why have his Government not stated that they preferred to put forward their contribution of £12½ million?

The Deputy will please resume his seat. I am allowing Deputy Quinn to ask a supplementary question.

Why is the Minister putting up that sort of argument?

The Deputy himself has announced it unilaterally on a number of occasions but his announcement is not effective.

Everybody has announced it but me.

I am calling for a little respect from the House.

If the Deputy thinks that his announcement will get the operation under way, he is deluded. He can be assured that when the announcement is made it will be after the agreement has been reached. We are working very expeditiously towards that agreement.

After 12 months.