I know I am somewhat out of order but I am subject to your direction in this matter, Sir. It has to do with a special notice question on the school transport strike, particularly the all-out strike in Donegal. I did get your disallowance notice this morning. The reason given was that the matter had been dealt with by way of a written reply to Deputy Horgan's question No. 514 of yesterday. I was not even aware of it nor was it available. However, I did find the question and it does not seem to be the same question. Deputy Horgan asked the Minister what he intended to do to prevent a recurrence of the school transport strike, whereas my question asked what the Minister was doing in the matter and to intervene immediately to bring the current strike to a halt. I am sorry I had to raise this matter here but the Chair is aware that I was only in a position to give him a short note on what I am saying during Question Time.

The Deputy, as he has conceded, is not in order in raising this matter here, but he did try to have a note delivered to me before Question Time. I cannot change my decision. The question referred to, No. 514, did refer to the Minister taking steps to prevent a recurrence. Naturally, that would immediately infer doing something about the current strike. On balance, the decision was correct.

I am in the unhappy position of not having access to that written reply.

That is why I permitted the Deputy to discuss the matter here.

As yet, I am still in the unhappy position of not knowing what the Minister said in his answer in regard to the existing strike.

The Deputy will have time to study the answer later.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of this reply, which I have not seen, I am asking for permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.