asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism whether the VHI have applied for an increase in charges.

Information in regard to applications to increase prices or charges must be treated as confidential, in accordance with section 25 of the Prices Act, 1958, and accordingly it is not permissible to give the information sought by the Deputy.

Would the Minister confirm whether an application has been made? We are not asking him to give the details of the application.

There is a very strict rule and I do not know whether I can divulge the information.

It has not inhibited any of the other Ministers from breaking it from time to time.

I am quoting section 25 of the Prices Act, 1958, and I am abiding by that.