asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is intended to introduce a new patents Bill; when Ireland will be in a position to ratify the European Patent Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A new patents Bill is being drafted as a matter of priority and will be introduced as early as possible. The Bill will, inter alia, enable Ireland to ratify the European Patent Convention. It is proposed to ratify this Convention as soon as possible after enactment of the legislation.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and wish him success in his new portfolio. However, I want to advise him that the same reply was given to a similar question back in March. Following supplementaries from my colleague, Deputy Bruton, we were informed then that the Bill was with the draftsman's office and would be circulated without any delay. Would the Minister not agree that there are many urgent matters hanging on the introduction of this legislation? Can he give us the exact date as to when we will have this Bill on hands and whether it will be presented to the Dáil before Christmas?

First, let me say that in spite of some other matters which have had to be dealt with since March, considerable progress has been made in relation to the preparation and drafting of this Bill; some of the major aspects of the first draft have already been completed. Regarding a date as to when it will be introduced in the Dáil, a number of other considerations have to go into that so I would not be in a position to give a date today. I can only say that I will give as much priority as possible to the early introduction of the Bill. We are cognisant of the problems which have developed for certain companies by virtue of the fact that we have not been able to ratify the European Patent Convention.

Question No. 10.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take oral Questions Nos. 10 and 25 and priority Questions Nos, 37, 39 and 41 together.

On a point of order, I sincerely hope, a Cheann Comhairle, that you will not give permission for priority Question No. 37 to be taken in conjunction with Question No. 10. Question No. 37 is an entirely different question. It deals with credit export insurance while Question No. 10 deals with export credit guarantees. We have waited one week——

I would appeal to Deputy Barrett not to waste the remaining precious time available to us. The Chair has no function in this matter. It is a matter for the Minister, and always has been, as to how he will take related questions.

The Minister is asking for your permission——

The questions are very closely related and we cannot have one without the other.

I do not know if the Minister is the very one who came into this House and demanded explanations in regard to this matter.

Time is of the essence in respect of these questions.

I have priority questions on this issue. You are here to protect our rights.

I will advise the Deputy and the House that in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House I will be going on to priority questions at 3.30.

Yes, and I have the first priority question on this subject.

I cannot assist the Deputy, he is wasting precious time.

The Minister has asked your permission to take the questions together and I am asking you not to give him permission.

I am granting permission as the Chair always does. It is a matter of courtesy to a Minister that the Chair does so.

On a point of order, I think this has to be sorted out. I have a priority question down——

The Chair is seeking desperately to deal with your question but it may not be dealt with as a result of your own conduct.

I have put down a priority question but I cannot get it because the Minister is taking my priority question in conjunction with these other questions.

That is the Minister's privilege and the Deputy knows that.