Deputy Andrews is being disorderly and he will resume his seat. Before moving to the next question I would draw the attention of both sides of the House — and this goes for Minister too — to Standing Order 35 (2) which states:

Where a question put down for oral answer is of such a nature as to require a lengthy reply or a reply in the form of a tabular statement, the Ceann Comhairle shall, at the request of the member of the Government to whom the Question is addressed, direct that the answer be furnished in the Official Report of the Debates.

That suggests that Question Time is not suitable for a question that needs a very long reply and I know that both sides of the House appreciate that.

I was asked the question and I answered it. It was the subject matter of questions before the conference and it would be inappropriate for me to have answered questions about it before the conference and not answer them after the conference.

Please do not take my intervention as a rebuke. I am pointing out Standing Orders.

On a point of order, I want to find out the exact effect of what you have just said.

I only mentioned it for consideration.

That is all right. We have had experience here from time to time of very long replies by Ministers and by the Taoiseach of the day and I do not think any of us object.

I drew the attention of the House to Standing Orders as an indication that those who drew up Standing Orders seemed to think that a question which needs a lot of time is not suitable for Question Time. I did so for the consideration of the House. Question No. 16.

Might I ask on this matter——

We have left the question.

I am not on the question. I refer to the matter you have raised. I would hope to be helpful by suggesting that we look back over the years when 50 or 60 questions were answered in an hour. This would be very beneficial because a long list of questions going on for months is not satisfactory to anybody.