May I ask the Taoiseach why he made his statement to the Dáil on the morning of 15 March when for ten months the Court of Auditors of the European Community had not been furnished by the Government with an explanation into the irregularities which I was finally forced to bring before this House?

First of all, I want to point out to the Deputy that it is not the duty of the Government to bring these irregularities to the attention of the Commission or the Court of Auditors or anybody else. It is the duty of the official side, the administration of the Department of Agriculture. The Deputy cannot have it both ways.

Let us hear the Taoiseach. Please, Deputy Desmond.

The Deputy cannot have it both ways. He cannot go around muttering about political intervention in these matters and at the same time blame the Government for not doing something in regard to them.

I have asked the Taoiseach a question and I will repeat the question.

Repetition is a luxury we cannot afford at Question Time. I am sorry, Deputy Desmond, repetition is not in order.

I will repeat the question to the Taoiseach for clarification of the point he has made. In May 1988 the Court of Auditors brought those——

The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it.

He now knows nothing about it.

Please, Deputy Desmond, we are having repetition.

I ask you now when did you finally send the report to the Court of Auditors?

I never sent a report to the Court of Auditors.

You sent the report last week.

Deputy Desmond, there is no need for disorder. The Deputy will have to restrain himself.

We can deal with this matter in an orderly fashion.

The Ceann Comhairle is covering up again.

Deputy Desmond I heard that remark. I want you to withdraw it unreservedly, otherwise, you will leave this House. I am asking you to withdraw unreservedly the inference——

I have your letters of reply to me which I will repeat.

Are you still implying that there was something irregular about my decision in the matter.

You did the same to Deputy Spring.

Deputy Desmond I must ask you again to withdraw unreservedly the reflection upon the Chair.

I would not wish to be in any way offensive.

Deputy Desmond I will not accept that kind of treatment from you.

I am also asking for an unreserved withdrawal of your accusation that I told an untruth about a matter of which——

I did not hear that remark.

——I had no knowledge.

I trust Deputy Spring will bring this matter back to order.

I will try to be very orderly and I will try to be helpful.

I do not intend to let this matter rest. This matter is primarily a matter for the Minister for Agriculture and Food who has all the information about it and who will give a full statement later in this Question Time dealing with all the matters. Some of the Deputies are endeavouring for their own political purposes to involve me in a matter about which I have no official knowledge and for which I have no official responsibility, a matter——

You should know about it.

——the details of which are a matter for the administration of the Department of Agriculture and Food.

I am now stating categorically that I totally reject Deputy Desmond's allegation. It is false and he knows it is untrue. It is made here for the lowest, meanest despicable political reason.

Tell that to the Commission and the Court of Auditors. They do not believe you. You are covering up.

Who was in Government when all this happened?

Exactly. Who was in Government?