asked the Taoiseach whether all members of the Government have resigned their positions as members of local authorities; and if he will outline his policy generally regarding Ministers and Ministers of State retaining membership of local authorities.

The Minister for Energy is the only member of the Government serving on a local authority. He is a member of Galway County Borough, Galway County Council and subsidiary bodies.

The general principle, which continues to apply, is that Ministers and Ministers of State should resign from such bodies as soon as conveniently possible after appointment, unless only a short time remains of their term of office or other special consideration are involved.

I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that the Minister for Energy will be resigning his position as a member of the local authority.

Unless he will be in office for only a very short time.

That is a fair point indeed.

A very short time as a member of the local authority.

The Taoiseach has said that there is a general principle that Ministers and Ministers of State should resign their positions as members of local authorities. Could he tell us in relation to his last Administration whether that policy was followed and if all Ministers and Ministers of State resigned their positions on local authorities?

The Deputy would do well to stick to this Administration.

That is a typically evasive reply from the Taoiseach, but may I press him on it for the detail?

If the Deputy starts pressing me I will start going back too.

The purpose of Question Time is to elicit information. Could the Taoiseach give me the information?

I have not got it readily available in relation to the last Administration.