asked the Taoiseach if he will give statistics of the number of people emigrating from Ireland to the US, Britain and Europe for each year from 1980 to date.

Deputy Fahey has said that he does not want this question taken in the absence of the Taoiseach.

I do not want the question taken——

Is the Deputy withdrawing the question?

The Taoiseach has left the House. I want to know why on three occasions recently when I put questions on emigration they were referred to the Minister of State. Why is the Taoiseach repeatedly running away from the most serious problem facing young people——

Is the Deputy withdrawing the question?

I will defer the question until tomorrow.

The Deputy is either letting the question go on now or he is withdrawing it.

I am withdrawing it until the Taoiseach is prepared to answer it.

These questions invariably are answered by the Minister of State.

That is acceptable to me, but I put down three questions recently which were not statistical and the Taoiseach referred them to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The only way such questions can be submitted is for statistical replies, but this is different. Your ruling is also different from last year when I had a question down exactly like this. Why are you changing the precedent?

I am not.

This day last year there were several supplementaries allowed on exactly the same question. There are so many young people out of work and emigrating——

The Deputy will resume his seat.