asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that persons drawing invalidity pensions from the Department of Social Welfare are entitled to free electricity, he will take steps to ensure that similar benefit be provided for Irish residents on United Kingdom invalidity pensions.

The extension of the free electricity allowance scheme from 1 April 1977 covered invalidity pensioners under the Social Welfare Acts but not British invalidity pensioners. Suggestions for changes in the scheme are matters which are considered in the context of the annual budget.

Some questions have been postponed today and these may not come up for answer again for two or three months. Perhaps the Minister would answer those now.

I agreed with some Deputies to postpone a number of questions because it was not possible for the Deputies concerned to be present.

The proceedings of the House have been interfered with simply because some Deputies wished to attend a soccer match.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.