In relation to the position of herd owners in disadvantaged areas, has the Minister made any proposal to Brussels to have extended the mildly handicapped areas and severely handicapped areas, or to have extended the range of areas included in the severely handicapped areas?

That is a separate question.

It relates to——

The Deputy should not argue.

Could I explain?

The areas are only mentioned here in relation to certain schemes.

I am anxious to ascertain the benefits for herd owners in disadvantaged areas. A number of people have been inquiring as to whether they will be affected.

That is clearly another question. Just because the words "disadvantaged areas" happen to appear there, that does not mean that an entire discussion on that subject can be opened up.

I want a clarification from the Minister and I will sit down then.

I am reminding the Deputy that he may put down another question.

On a point of order, I also put down a question which the Chair did not allow on this issue. Will the Chair give me some guidance? Is it the Chair's business to prevent the Minister from answering questions?

It is my business.

While I was over there, I was not in any way protected by the Chair.

Deputy Leyden will withdraw that remark, before we go any further. Deputy Leyden has implied that the Chair is protecting somebody. The Deputy will withdraw that remark.

I was asking what the Standing Order in relation to——

Will the Deputy withdraw that remark and resume his seat?

I hope the Chair will not take offence. I do not regard the Chair as protecting anybody. I will withdraw the remark on the basis that the Chair says——

You will withdraw it without qualification——

Yes, without qualification.

——and I will proceed with the Questions.

I am entitled to know under what Standing Order is the Chair not allowing questions which are relevant to the question on the Order Paper?

When the Deputy gets into this Chair he can look after all of that.

I have no intention of getting into the Chair.

A number of queries arise——

It takes a long time before a Deputy of the House gets into the Chair.

It takes a long time to get into the House at all. Many fellows have been trying for years.

Order, please.

A number of people have been informed that they are being included for these benefits. Is there any authority for these statements? Have the Government made proposals to Brussels either to extend the areas or to change the classification? I will be satisfied with a simple answer.

That is a separate question.

Question No. 4.

I want to ask a supplementary question.

Order, please.

Deputy Wilson may not know that I have ruled a question out as being a separate question. If Deputy Wilson reads the question it will be clear to him why I ruled it out.

A Cheann Comhairle——

The Ceann Comhairle does not know what supplementary I was going to ask.

I think I do. Question No. 4.

The Chair can rule it out if he thinks necessary. In view of the fact that following the most recent arrangements in this regard, West Germany extended the disadvantaged areas over an extensive area, would the Minister say whether what the Taoiseach said in Cavan was factually correct, that the disadvantaged area was to be extended over the whole of counties Cavan and Monaghan?

I was correct——

Order, please.

What the Taoiseach said was factually correct.

Order, please. Deputy Wilson, I was correct and I rule out your question. The headage payments appear here in reference to one scheme. Question No. 4.