Will the Taoiseach and the Government consider releasing the commercial State-sponsored bodies from the shackles of Devlin so that they may employ the best people at the most appropriate salaries, because of the huge commercial enterprises which they now are?

That is another question.

It arises on the management of semi-State bodies which the Taoiseach referred to in the final part of his answer. I am asking the Taoiseach a straight question. Would he consider that the shackles of Devlin inhibit the proper development of many of our semi-State bodies at the moment?

The Chair considers that that is a detail.

The Chair may consider it to be a detail, but I can assure him and the House that it is a very big detail and a very big matter in the management of semi-State commercial bodies——

I grant you that, but this is a general question about an overall matter.

—— more especially when one considers the mess that many are in. It is time to break out of the strait-jacket and consider releasing the inhibitions that apply to those organisations.

Hear, hear.

I rule that question out of order.

If the Government want a good semi-State sector the organisations must be able to operate.

I am sorry, Deputy, I cannot allow it.

The Chair is in a straitjacket himself.