I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 14 to 25 together.

On a point of order, I object to this. My question is completely different from the others in this group.

For the information of the House, the Minister does not have to seek the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take questions together. It is a matter for the Minister concerned and I cannot compel a Minister to answer questions separately. It is merely a courtesy for the Minister to say "with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle".

This is very serious. There is a precedent. Deputy Dick Burke came in here on one occasion lumping 17 questions together. That outraged the House and it was the decision of the Chair on that occasion that the questions should be taken on the following day and taken individually.

On a point of order, Question No. 22 relates to school transport. I understand that it is Deputy Keating, Minister of State at the Department of Education, who has responsibility for school transport and I cannot understand why the Minister for Education should deal with school transport.

I looked up the rulings on this because I often wondered about this phrase "with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle" and I discovered that it is a matter for the Minister. It has been the practice for Ministers to take a number of questions together and the introduction of the Ceann Comhairle's permission is merely a courtesy.

Would the Chair like to comment on the fact that there is a precedent, a precedent which must be known to his officials, that on one occasion on third level education the then Minister for Education came in with a common answer to 17 questions. The House would not tolerate that, the matter was referred back and the questions were answered individually on the following day.

If there is a precedent for that, I will certainly look at it and inform the Deputies about it. If the Deputy likes, the question can be postponed.

Yes.

I will answer the questions individually.

Would the Minister do that, for the benefit of the House?

It will merely be delaying the House.

For the benefit of the House and the convenience of the Deputies opposite, please.

Because of the particular development, it will merely mean delaying the business of the House.

Would the Minister like to postpone answering the questions until next Tuesday?

The situation will not have changed by next Tuesday.

That is a discourtesy.

I am most anxious to be as courteous and helpful to the House as possible. However, because of the particular circumstances in which I am placed, the situation being very unlikely to change between now and next week, I would have preferred——

Would the Minister reply to the questions individually, please?

If the Deputies prefer.

The Minister will reply to the questions individually. Question No. 14.

14.