This morning, in the course of some disorderly interruptions in which I was not involved, the Taoiseach indicated that the Minister for Agriculture proposed to make a statement during the course of the day. I put down a Private Notice Question inviting him to make the statement to this House where he might be questioned on it. I want to protest at the discourtesy of the Minister for Agriculture in choosing to make a statement elsewhere. I note that, although it was apparently urgent this morning, it ceased to be urgent this afternoon and your ruling that my Private Notice Question lacked urgency does not seem to prevent the Minister for Agriculture from making a statement elsewhere.

The Deputy knows full well that the rulings of the Chair in such matters may not be challenged. However, in respect of my reply to the Deputy, it is fair to say that the allegations to which he referred were made last Thursday and questions could have been tabled for answer this week.

We were not told.

Indeed Deputies tabled questions on the Order Paper to the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Justice and they were replied to yesterday.

My point is that we were not told that the Minister for Agriculture proposed to make a statement—

I propose to deal with the Social Welfare Bill.

It was a grave discourtesy to the House.