Is it normal that public representatives are not permitted to have phone numbers, addresses or any other information at local level to help them to establish where the problem lies? On a breakdown — say because of a cabling fault — is it normal that those of us who are elected for the area are kept ignorant of the names, centres and phone numbers? We are not going to abuse or bother these people, but there has been a total blanket over my endeavours to get information so that I can follow up cases of breakdowns. Is that normal?

I would be very surprised if Deputy Fennell were being kept in ignorance of these matters. As a Deputy, I have always had very direct contact with the technical people in my area.

I envy the Minister, because I do not have that contact.

I support what Deputy Fennell is saying. When there is a problem of telephone breakdowns in the south city area, we must go through the Minister's office or the secretary's office. This is unreasonable. We should be given a point of contact at which we can get an answer more rapidly. This would save a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy. I totally support Deputy Fennell on this.

(Dún Laoghaire): Hear, hear.

I appreciate the point raised by the Deputy. I have had discussions already with the press section of my Department in this regard. We are trying to ensure that those questions——

What section?

The press officer in the Department, as Deputy Harte is well aware.

Yes.

I am asking him, instead of going through the Minister's office, to give more direct information to both Deputies and the media, with reference to the Minister's office. I appreciate fully that if there is a breakdown in a particular area, the public should be informed forthwith. I appreciate the point that the Deputy is making. I will attempt to streamline that situation in my Department, if there are any difficulties of communication. Our business is communication and surely we should ensure that.

We are not talking about a breakdown in communication.

Is there now a reversal of the situation initiated by the former Minister of State, Deputy Killilea, who is, in fact, responsible for the chaos in this Department? Any information requested by any Deputy had to be sought through the Minister's office and there was total and absolute chaos. Deputy Cooney and I tried to unscramble this mess and were on the point of success when the general election intervened. What is causing the delay in having that done now? Could the Minister explain that to the House? How relative is a press officer to a Deputy?

Deputy Harte was Minister of State for seven months.

(Dún Laoghaire): No.

Seemingly, he was not able to achieve any progress in relation to communication in that time. I have been Minister of State for only seven days and in that time I have initiated discussions to ensure that this will be streamlined.

Question No. 18.

I am asking whether there has been a reversal of the policy adopted by the former Minister of State, Deputy Killilea, who is responsible for the chaos.

I took over from the previous Minister, Deputy Harte, and any decisions I make will be a reversal of any procedure he had in operation when he was in office.

18.