I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 together.

On a point of order——

I can assure the Deputy that the reply I propose to give is quite comprehensive.

On a point of order, while I am not for a moment suggesting that the Minister is being unco-operative in any way in grouping Questions Nos. 5 to 9 which are totally different——

Has the Deputy a point of order?

I certainly have a point of order. I should like to call on the judgment of the Chair for this kind of practice. Is it in order to do this without giving any notice to the person who has tabled a question? I think it is most unfair.

The Chair has made it perfectly clear on numerous occasions, both in the recent past and some time ago, that the Chair has no control over or function as to whether questions are answered singly or are taken together.

On a point of clarification, does this mean there will be a complete blanket on supplementary questions when five questions are taken together?

We will deal with that when we come to it.

On a point of order when the Minister, as has been the practice, prefaces his reply by saying, "With your permission——"

That is a matter of pure politeness.

If the Chair will address himself to the questions he will see that they are in no way inter-related as regards the topic of each question. If the Chair has any function, he should withhold his permission for dealing with all of these questions in one reply.

I wish we would all act as adults. I want to make it clear that the Chair has no control over or function as to how questions are answered, whether they are answered individually or a number taken together. Secondly, the practice of saying, "With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle" has been discontinued by most Ministers. I understand my predecessor sent a circular to each Minister informing them that his consent was not necessary.

In order to ensure that this kind of issue will not obstruct Question Time, will the Chair communicate with Ministers and convey to them the view of the Chair opposing this kind of thing — I assume the Chair is not in favour of this kind of practice because it will cause problems every time it is done. Surely the Chair has a function in that area?

The Chair has no such function.

Really? It seems extraordinary that the standing of this House can be undermined by Ministers while the Chair has no function in the matter.

On a point of order——

Order, Minister. The Chair, as some people appreciate, has a difficult function to perform here. However, I have no doubt that if the Chair were to start sending communications to Deputies advising them on how to do this and that, he would have not alone a difficult task but an impossible one and I do not intend to embark on it.

On a point of order, I am asking for the guidance of the Chair——

I am not here for giving guidance. I refer the Deputy to the book of Standing Orders.

The questions deal with matters such as forged currency, commemorative coins and medals and they are being answered under the same heading.

I was in the Library when I saw that these questions were being taken together. I am glad to say I have a certificate of fitness because I sprinted up those steps——

What is being done is not fair.

I call on the Minister to answer Question No. 5.

Before I answer that question I wish to make a point of order. Deputy O'Kennedy has used up three minutes of the time of this House which should have been devoted to answering Deputy Brady's questions. In the course of doing that, he made an allegation against me.

I have called the Minister to answer Question No. 5. If the Minister is going to make a personal explanation he will have to get the consent of the Chair in the ordinary way.

I will now proceed to use Question Time to answer questions rather than the kind of pantomime the gentlemen on the other side are indulging in.

Get on with it.