I did not intervene previously in the hope that the Minister would at least show the courtesy of answering supplementaries in English. The questions were addressed in English and the Chair has pointed out that Ministers have the option of answering in Irish or English. Surely the Deputy and the House are entitled at least to the courtesy of complying with the Deputy's wish that he be answered in English. It is certainly not the way to foster the Irish language.

The Chair pulled me up on this point before. I put down a question in Irish to the Minister for the Environment and he quite rightly answered me in Irish, for which I thank him. My point is that when I put down questions in English I am entitled to answers in English.

As I pointed out already, the Minister may answer in Irish or in English. There is a translation available.

Surely when it is optional the Minister should have the courtesy to answer in English?

Tá traidisiúin sa Teach seo go bhfreagraíonn Aire na Gaeltachta ceisteanna, pé acu an i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge iad, i nGaeilge. Tá Teachta White ag déanamh clamhsáin faoi, ach ba mhaith liom a chur i gcuimhne dó nach bhfuil sé ró-fhada ó bhí duine dá pháirtí féin ina Aire Ghaeltachta agus nuair a chuir daoine as an bpáirtí seo ceisteanna síos i mBéarla gur freagraíodh iad freisin i nGaeilge. Ní theastaíonn uaim go gceapfadh daoine gur díreach páirtí Fhianna Fáil a fhreagraíonn iad i nGaeilge.

Tá Ceistenna thart anois.

One of our traditions is being discriminated against in an Irish Parliament.