asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will indicate the directions, if any, that have been issued to the Civil Service in so far as their dealings with public representatives' representations are concerned; if it is permissible for Dáil Deputies to communicate directly with civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There are no general directions to civil servants on the question of dealing with representations from public representatives, whether they are made directly to civil servants or otherwise. It is for each Minister to make such arrangements as he thinks fit for his own Department. Instructions have, of course, been issued by my Department to Departments generally about courtesy and efficiency in dealing with the public.

In the case of my own Department, while I have issued no directions to staff about their dealing directly with public representatives who make representations on official matters, I expect that these representations are handled as expeditiously as possible. Indeed on occasions I have asked staff to deal directly with Dáil Deputies where this would ensure the immediate and satisfactory disposal of business.

Is the Minister aware that when a Deputy contacts the Department of Education he is told by a civil servant that they may not speak to the Deputy or convey any information to him unless the Deputy directs his inquiries through the Minister's office?

I am not so aware. If there is a question in relation to a particular Department that might better be taken up directly with the Minister concerned. I am aware that that situation obtained some years ago in that Department but I am also aware that it did not obtain at a different period some years ago. I am not familiar with the current situation but I would be rather surprised if it were as the Deputy suggested.

Is the Minister aware that in my position as Opposition spokesperson for Education I deal with the Department and that is the reply I received, that I must go through the Minister's office if I wish to get a reply? I accept that the Minister may not have been aware of the situation but now that he has been made aware of it he should do something about it.

It makes a nonsense of the Minister's reply.

Naturally I would be very anxious to facilitate Deputy O'Rourke in whatever way I could——

And others.

Yes. As the allegation of misogynism was cast about earlier, I thought it might be as well to dispel it.

That was about the Army, dear.