My question asked the Minister if in view of the poor take up of EEC funds for private afforestation for either conventional forestry or energy crops he will consider setting up a non-Government agency to promote afforestation. The Minister says he is not responsible. If he is not, he should at least consult with the Department of Forestry or transfer the question to another Minister. We are now told by the Minister about poor growth. Is he aware that we had two very costly studies carried out with EEC funds, both of which indicated the benefits which could be derived in the disadvantaged region of Leitrim-Cavan-Monaghan because it is a high growth area for forestry and biomass, especially biomass, and we are now told that is not the case.

The Deputy may not make a long statement just because it is prefaced by the words "is he aware". That will not work because it would reduce Question Time to a farce.

It is very misleading if we have not got the information.

I prefaced my answer with the words: In reply to these questions I will deal with short rotation forestry for energy purposes as it relates to my Department. If the Deputy has a question about afforestation he can put it down to the Minister for Forestry. In my reply I attempted to indicate the realities of the situation. While there may be reports indicating the contrary, the reality is as I have stated it.

This is a very serious matter. If organisations who are doing strategy reports in a region get information from Government Departments which is at variance with the facts——

The Deputy is making a speech. I will not allow speeches at Question Time.

I want to protest about this.

The Deputy will have to find another opportunity to make it on the information which he has.