asked the Minister for Labour when the decision was made to appoint a review body or commission on industrial relations.

25.

asked the Minister for Labour why the announcement of the appointment of the chairman of the proposed commission on industrial relations was not made in the Dáil.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.

The decision to establish a Commission on Industrial Relations was communicated by letter to the chairman of the employers' side of the Employer-Labour Conference and to the president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the 18 January 1978.

The announcement regarding the chairman was made in the manner which appeared to me to be the most appropriate to the case.

Would the Minister care to admit that he mentioned a commission and review body as early as October last year, seven months ago? That being so, what has held up the setting up of this commission? When will it have its first meeting?

The reply to the question is factual. This was the first official communication with both sides. I would hope to have the first meeting of the commission before the end of this month. Arrangements are at present in progress.

The question asked the Minister when the decision was made to appoint a review body or commission. On 9 November the Minister referred to the review body. What has held up the setting up of the commission?

A commission of this nature is very important and it is also important that both sides of industry be consulted. They were consulted. Nominations were requested from them. Nominations have now been received. Is the Deputy saying that he does not want the commission to operate? The commission has been named and, hopefully, will be meeting towards the end of this month.

I am calling the next question.

I shall answer the Minister's question with another question: is he aware that since he came into office industrial relations have been in a shambles and that therefore there is an urgency about the setting up of this commission. If the delay in setting it up is any indication of the speed with which it will report, God help us.

I have called the next question.

Sorry, sir——

The Deputy is making a speech and he knows perfectly well that I do not permit, and the Chair could never permit, Question Time to be turned into a debating session.

Could I ask the Minister——

The Deputy had an opportunity to ask a question but he proceeded to make a speech.

I wish to ask a supplementary in relation to Question No. 25.

26.