asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of grant aid paid to farmers under the farm modernisation scheme for the years 1980, 1981 and 1982 under the following headings:—(a) land reclamation; (b) farm buildings; and (c) purchase of equipment.

The information requested is set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Can the Minister give us the figures now?

I will circulate them.

Why not tell us now? What is the Minister hiding? He is embarrassed.

I have nothing to hide.

I cannot see why the Minister cannot give the House the answer to the question.

There is a longestablished practice in this House of Ministers answering questions in tabular statements. The Chair has no control over that, and he is sorry he cannot help.

I put down a similar question three weeks ago and I have had no reply yet. The Minister is shying away from it.

I must ask Deputies to allow Question Time to continue.

25.