May I ask the Minister when he will enforce the regulation in relation to declaration of ingredients on animal feeds and why there is an undue delay in the implementation of the regulation? I think his own officials should not shelter behind threatening litigation any longer but should get out and implement it.

It is a convention of the House that no blame be attached to officials. The Minister is responsible and answerable to the House.

The Minister should not shelter under the threat of litigation.

On behalf of all those officials, I want to assure the Deputy that I am not doing that, now or ever.

That is incorrect.

Now, the reply to No. 9: adequate administrative arrangements are in place——

You are not implementing the regulations on the declaration of ingredients.

They are being implemented and the Deputy will see that.

Why do you not implement the regulations on the declaration of ingredients?

A Cheann Comhairle, did you call Question No. 9?

I do not like interrupting a lady.

That will not answer a difficult question.

I do not like interrupting ladies, but when the lady is finished——

Could the Minister answer my question?

Was Question No. 9 taken with another question?

Order, please. I am arbitrating on the matter. May I take it that Question No. 9 has not been answered previously with another question?

It has not been answered.

A brief supplementary, Deputy Doyle.

Deputy Durkan rose.

I am sorry Deputy Durkan but I want to get on to other questions.

I had already indicated that I wanted to speak.

That may be so, Deputy——

The question was not called.

May I ask the Minister why the regulation in relation to the declaration of ingredients has not been implemented to date and whether he will ensure that it is implemented immediately?

The answer to the second part of the Deputy's question is yes. If it has not been implemented to date as effectively as I would wish that is precisely what I am determined to achieve now. The inadequacy of the implementation of regulations over the years is not all a matter of my responsibility.