asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport why the accounts for 1977 of Aerlód Teoranta were not presented to the House until 3rd April 1979; the date they were submitted to him; the date they were submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General; if a delay of this length has occurred in the presentation of any report of this body; and, if so, when.

, Dublin South-Central: The accounts for Aerlód Teoranta for 1977 were submitted to my Department in October 1978. Owing to pressure of more urgent work and shortage of staff the accounts were not presented to the House until the end of March 1979. The accounts are not required to be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The accounts for 1976 were received in August 1977 and were presented in May 1978.

What work was involved in the Minister's Department between October 1978 and March 1979 on those accounts that they could not be presented immediately after they were received?

(Dublin South-Central): There are pressing needs in the Department, as I have pointed out.

What has that to do with those accounts?

(Dublin South-Central): All the accounts have to be processed and they must be taken in rotation.

What was involved in the processing of those particular accounts which took such a length of time?

(Dublin South-Central): There is a certain amount of work involved and they have to take their place in the queue. A lot of important work has to be done before the accounts are presented. I am not sure of the amount of work involved.

Why does the Minister not know? Is it not the case that the accounts were presented to the Department and, although the Department are legally obliged to present them to the House, they delayed almost six months? They retained those accounts in the Department although they are legally obliged to present them to the House. Would the Minister at least care enough about his responsibilities to inquire why this happened?

(Dublin South-Central): I have informed the Deputy that the reason was a scarcity of staff in my Department.

What has that to do with the accounts?

This type of cross-questioning is not in keeping with what Question Time is supposed to be.

There would be no need for it if the Minister knew the answer.