asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the discrimination being practised against garda sergeants on the beat in Cork city which has resulted in no qualified sergeant on the beat being promoted in Cork city during the past 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The promotion of members of the force up to and including the rank of inspector is, by law, a matter for the commissioner. Promotion to the rank of inspector is made through selection by a central interview board in accordance with procedures laid down in the Garda Síochána promotion regulations, and members are promoted on the basis of objective assessment. In the circumstances, I cannot see that discrimination could be exercised against sergeants in a particular area and performing particular duties and I have indeed been assured by the commissioner that no such discrimination has been or is being practised.

May I ask a supplementary on the last question?

Could we have order and allow the Minister to be heard.

The Ceann Comhairle had called me.

May I ask a supplementary on the last question, please?

Order, please. The Chair has no trouble dealing with one side of the House.

As long as it is one side only.

Might I ask the Minister if the Comptroller and Auditor General has access to all the information which is relevant in respect of the payment of such rewards as are paid?

That is a separate question completely.

It is not. Would the Minister agree, in order to satisfy himself that the money is properly disposed of, that the Comptroller and Auditor General should have access to such information?

The reply has been more than adequate.

Could we hear the reply to question No. 2 again?

The Deputy would have heard it had he remained quiet.

The Minister is out of his depth with the farmers.

We did not hear much from the Deputy about them.

(Cavan-Monaghan): When the Minister for Agriculture was sitting over there the other day the Taoiseach asked him to stay quiet, and he might obey that request.

I am afraid of my life now.

To repeat the reply to question No. 2:

The promotion of members of the force up to and including the rank of inspector is, by law, a matter for the commissioner. Promotion to the rank of inspector is made through selection by a central interview board in accordance with procedures laid down in the Garda Síochána promotion regulations, and members are promoted on the basis of objective assessment. In the circumstances, I canont see that discrimination could be exercised against sergeants in a particular area and performing particular duties and I have indeed been assured by the commissioner that no such discrimination has been or is being practised.

Does the Minister not think it strange that these dedicated men, who have been promoted to the rank of sergeant and posted to important stations in Cork city have been passed over time and time again for further promotion?

The promotions in question are the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. There is an interview board; there are procedures from the educational and professional points of view that must be met by way of examination.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister accept that no promotions have taken place in these areas in 25 years?

I do not accept that no promotions have taken place.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister know whether or not they have?

There have been 15 promotions in the past 10 years.

(Cavan-Monaghan): From Cork city?

In the specific area with which we are dealing.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Have sergeants on the beat, so to speak, been promoted in those areas?

Sergeants of the Garda Síochána have been promoted.

(Cavan-Monaghan): But from each station?

I am afraid this practice of Deputies standing up asking a series of questions has never been allowed at Question Time. Deputies should remain seated while the Minister is replying, and so should the Minister while Deputies are speaking.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I deliberately put a question to him.

The Minister has neither sat down nor answered.

He was asked about sergeants on the beat, not other sergeants promoted, and he did not answer the question he was asked.