asked the Minister for Finance the reason the old premises of Kilgarvan national school was not handed over to the local community.

Before disposal could be considered it was necessary to ascertain if the former national school at Kilgarvan was surplus to State requirements. It has now been established that the premises are not required for State purposes and a decision regarding its disposal will be made in the near future.

Will the Minister give an assurance to the House that local committees will get first preference and not a member of the Fianna Fáil Party?

As I said, a decision will be made on this in the near future.

That is not the question the Minister was asked.

It is. All matters will be taken into consideration.

Will the Minister tell the House how many people are interested in the school?

We have had requests from many different organisations in the immediate area.

A final supplementary, please.

It is all right to say a final supplementary but the Minister did not answer a specific question I put to him. Has any private individual who is a member of Fianna Fáil received an indication from the Minister that he is getting this school?

We have had requests from many different organisations in the immediate area.

But not from individuals?

From two individuals.

The Minister could have told us that the first time.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister not agree that it is practically general practice to give first preference to the purchase of a building like this for a community centre if it is so required? Will he give the House an assurance that he will give the local community first preference on reasonable terms?

A community organisation has requested that the school be made available to them. When I am making a decision on it I will look at their application the same as the rest.

Next question.

I do not know why the Chair is cloaking the Minister on this issue. It is sharp practice by the Chair.

I have allowed four supplementaries on one question.

The Minister is not answering the question.

Nobody complains as much about the Chair as Deputy Begley. Every time he stands up he complains about the Chair.

Every time I stand up I am told to shut up.

Question No. 10.

I am entitled to ask a final supplementary. I do not see why the Chair should cloak members of the local Fianna Fáil cumann in this House.

That is an outrageous statement.

It is true. I cannot understand why the Chair is cloaking the local Fianna Fáil cumann on this issue.

Question No. 10.

I am entitled to ask a final supplementary on this issue.

I am calling the next question and would the Minister please obey the Chair and answer it?

Allow me to ask a final supplementary on this issue. I am entitled to do so.

If the Deputy attended the meeting last week——

The Minister knows why I did not attend.