asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the present position in relation to the National Film Studios at Ardmore, Bray, County Wicklow.

The present position in relation to the National Film Studios is that the Government are now considering the implications of the cancellation of the contract with the only serious potential purchaser who was prepared to maintain the film facilities.

I wish to raise a point of order.

The Chair called Question No. 16 and proposes to stand by that ruling but if Deputy MacSharry has a valid point of order to make the Chair will hear it.

I am not referring to the Chair calling Question No. 16. The Chair has said that, like many of his predecessors, he has no control over what Ministers say but I do not think the Chair can muffle Deputies from this side of the House when a Minister replies on the basis of decisions of a previous Government. The Minister is in Government. The previous Government took numerous decisions and provided money in the Estimates for them but the Government took that money out of the Estimates.

That is not a point of order. The Deputy is being disorderly.

Such things happen every day but the Minister of State happens to have a bad temper.

I did not hear the Minister's reply to Question 16.

Will the Minister repeat his reply?

It was not my fault that the Deputy did not hear the reply. The Deputy should ask her colleagues to be more orderly at Question Time.

The present position in relation to the National Film Studios is that the Government are now considering the implications of the cancellation of the contract with the only serious potential purchaser who was prepared to maintain the film facilities.

What decision did the Government reach in regard to the National Film Studios? Is it their intention to retain the studios as film studios or not?

The studios were put into liquidation in April 1982 and a deal to purchase the studios fell through in November 1982. That is the position. I am not prepared to anticipate what the Government will decide. Obviously, it would be desirable to maintain a film-making facility but if there is not a buyer the Government will be placed in a difficult position. The Government are considering the matter and I hope a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at.

That is a most unsatisfactory answer to my question. Fine Gael and Labour when in Opposition were totally committed to retaining the studios for film-making. That was stated by them during a debate on a Private Members' motion some months ago. Is the Minister aware that independent film-makers must go to England to get cameras although the equipment is lying unused at Ardmore? Is the Minister aware of the unemployment caused as a result of the closing of the studios? The Minister should commit the Government to reopening the studios in line with the view expressed by Fine Gael and Labour.

I am aware of the developments in this area. I should like to point out that the position with regard to the liquidation is that all funds will be made available to meet the legal liabilities of the company by 18 April, namely within one year of the commencement of the liquidation as envisaged in the declaration of sovereignty signed by the company. The Government are considering the matter. I do not think any Member would advocate that the studios be maintained regardless of the implications for the taxpayer. The absence of a purchaser, who would maintain the studios and to pay a reasonable price for the property is of considerable significance.

It is amazing how the leopard changes his spots in the move from this side of the House to the Government side. I was brought into the House for many Adjournment debates, during Question Time and Private Members' Business to deal with this matter.

I appeal to the Deputy to co-operate and conform to Standing Orders.

It is as well to get the record straight and let the public know where the honesty in politics lies. It has always been said that it is over there but now we know that when they change sides in the House they change their policies.

The Deputy will have other opportunities of doing that.

Will the Minister confirm that Fine Gael and Labour when in Opposition wanted the studios opened immediately regardless of the cost to the taxpayer? Will the Minister accept that those parties since they were elected to Government have changed their minds and are not prepared to go along with the views they expressed when in Opposition? In other words, they say one thing in Opposition but something different in Government. Will the Government open the studios or not, "yes" or "no"?

The Deputy will be aware that the resolution urging the Government to maintain the National Film Studios of Ireland in State ownership was defeated, so that question does not arise.

That was The Workers Party one. What about the Labour Party's and the Minister's own?

With regard to taking all reasonable steps to maintain the studio, yes, that is a proper objective, but in the absence of a buyer it will be rather difficult.

Deputy Hussey said in the election that that is not her view.