Of course. I should like to bring to the Minister's notice that last Tuesday the reply which the Minister gave now was published by his colleague, Deputy Calleary, in the local Mayo newspapers together with three other replies to questions given by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. I must put on record my abhorrence at the despicable practice of answers being given to the Minister's colleague a week before they are given in this House. That is a despicable practice, and it should not be continued. It undermines the function of this side of the House in seeking to get information from the Minister.

The Deputy may not make a speech at Question Time.

I am protesting at this despicable practice——

If the Deputy would allow me to reply he might be satisfied.

——of the Minister issuing the good news to his colleague before answering me in this House. It is despicable and it should not be continued.

The suggestion is that the Minister of State received information from my Department. I assure the Deputy—he does not want to hear the assurance—that the Minister of State concerned did not request any information from my Department and did not get any information from my Department. However, if the Minister of State, acting in his capacity as a Deputy, or any other Deputy from any side of the House, asks for information from the Department he will get the information. I have told the Deputy that information was not given to the Minister of State involved and if the Deputy checks the newspaper article he will see that the information did not come from the Department.

Is the Minister of State responsible for the IDA or are the IDA responsible for this?

As a first generation Mayoman I have no intention of involving myself in the day-to-day politics of County Mayo, east or west.

Are the IDA the responsibility of the Minister?

Of course they are.

Is Deputy Calleary the mole in the Department?

6.