Last March the Ombudsman made a number of recommendations for amendments to legislation. Is there any commitment or intention to implement any of the recommendations made by him?

I have answered the question in relation to my Department, as will other Ministers. I think it would be best taken departmentally. I would not attempt to reply to the whole range of issues. They would be best dealt with by individual Ministers.

The question in which Deputy Brady and myself were interested was put down to the Minister for the Public Service but it ended up with the Taoiseach. That is not our fault. However, perhaps he will give a view regarding the amendments to legislation that will come forward. The office of Ombudsman is an expensive one and it is one all of us support. Surely the Taoiseach can give some indication of the support he is prepared to give to that office?

The position is that the question is down to individual Ministers and each of them will reply in relation to their own area. I have replied in relation to my Department. I think that is the most appropriate, orderly and effective way to deal with the matter. It is also the most effective way from the Deputy's point of view because he will get full replies.

I thought that, rather than having to wait until Christmas to get the answers, the Taoiseach could give us a brief summary of what amendments may be introduced.

If the question had been phrased properly the Deputy could have got the information today.

The Opposition put down the question to the Minister for the Public Service but on the Order Paper it turned up to the Taoiseach. The question simply asks the Taoiseach to give some indication regarding the changes in legislation which the Government intend to make in the foreseeable future arising out of the report of the Ombudsman. That is all the question asks.

As I understand it, a question is down to the Minister for the Public Service and a full answer will be given by him.

The cavalry have arrived over the hill.

It appears the Opposition do not know what questions they have put down.

There are lots of things the Minister does not know.

There is a lot I do not know but I would know if I had put a question down.

This question was put down specifically to the Minister for the Public Service and on the Order Paper it was addressed to the Taoiseach.

I am calling Question No 4.