asked the Taoiseach why the announcement of the Government's decision to halve food subsidies was left to civil servants, if he does not consider that it would be more appropriate to have decisions of this nature announced by the Ministers who have made them and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have already indicated that the announcement of the decision on the food subsidies might have been handled differently.

This would not, of course, have changed in any way the need for, or the details of, the decision taken.

Is the Taoiseach giving a commitment that in future Government decisions will be made by the Government and the Minister concerned and that the practice of making these announcements prior to bank holiday periods will be ended?

Decisions are made by the Government and I do not understand the implications of the Deputy's question. The only question at issue is what announcements should be made by Ministers personally and what by way of a written announcement by the Government Information Service. That is a matter of judgment and, depending on a particular announcement, one might take——

The Taoiseach does not sound too sure.

Decisions are taken by the Government.

I called Deputy Haughey.

A Cheann Comhairle, I hope you are going to be in reasonably good humour this session.

I hope so and I also hope that it will be a very pleasant session.

You can count on me. As the Taoiseach has already applied the words "clumsy", "hasty" and "inappropriate" to different actions of the Government, does this end the litany or has he further adjectives to describe their activities?

I give honest answers to questions put to me.

The Taoiseach is being strictly honest with the public when he is describing the Government as hasty and clumsy.

The Deputy misrepresents my remarks.

As the decision to cut the subsidies on food was made in August when the Dáil was in recess will he give time for The Workers' Party motion on the restoration of the food subsidies to be debated?

That is another question.

The Workers' Party can come in on our motion.

On what date did the Government decide to introduce food subsidies?

The decision was made on the day it was announced.

Was it not discussed by the Government for some weeks beforehand?

The decision was made on the day it was announced. We made it under circumstances which are known. In the light of changing interest rates we needed to take certain action and the Government announced their decision immediately in accordance with normal procedure.

There was no prior consideration of the decision?

No.

When did the Taoiseach go on his holidays?

The following day.