asked the Minister for Agriculture the present composition of the board of directors of CBF; the organisation and/or other body that each director represents on the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Board of CBF (as at 23 May 1985)

Chairman — D. Brosnan. Appointed by the Minister for Agriculture — J. Bergin, P.G. Hoey. Representing producers of bovine animals and sheep — S. Crawford, C. Boyle, N. Ryan. Representing the meat export trade — J. Beechinor, M. Cowhey. Representing meat traders who sell meat by wholesale or retail for consumption in the State — T. Lenihan. Representing the live bovine animal and sheep export trade — J. Barrett.

I am disappointed the Minister did not give us an opportunity to ask supplementary questions on the composition of the board and the position within the board.

I had a long, reasoned discussion some time ago about tabular statements.

I am sorry I missed that.

It was with no less a person than the leader of the Deputy's party. I thought I had reached the stage where I made my ruling clear and I intimated I was going to stand by it.

(Limerick West): Is it possible to ask a supplementary question?

That is the point I am making. I ruled out supplementary questions when the answer is in the form of a tabular statement. That is my ruling. I am only following in the honourable footsteps of my predecessors who ruled accordingly. I am calling Question No. 11.

Is that the traditional standard practice?

Yes.

That is a licence to deny people an opportunity of asking supplementary questions.

I would also point out to the Deputy that the ruling makes common sense.