I seek clarification from the Taoiseach on the situation pertaining to Irish Water and ask him to give Government time for a debate on it, particularly given his remarks to me last week on Leaders' Questions, when he stated:

Second, in the matter, as I understand it, of a parliamentary question which was to have been sent to Irish Water, it did not go, and the Department has apparently apologised for that. In any event Irish Water will be the subject of proper responses to parliamentary questions in this House by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Deputies can be clear on that.

That evening the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, came to the House and stated the complete opposite. He stated Irish Water would not be subject to questions on the costs of establishment or on its activities at all. Yesterday evening the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government apologised to Deputy Barry Cowen because a response had not been given to his parliamentary questions, and she confirmed what the Minister of State had stated - that Irish Water would not be subject to parliamentary questions. The Taoiseach stated that Irish Water would be the subject of proper responses to parliamentary questions in the House and that Deputies could be clear on this. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would correct the record of the House if he misled the House last week when he told me Irish Water would be subject to proper responses. The Minister of State at the Department said the complete opposite, as did the Secretary General of the Department. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach put straight the record of the House.

It would never be my intention to mislead the House. I expect that if a question comes to the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, or the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, about Irish Water they will contact Irish Water and have the answer given to the question through the House. This is what I would expect.

What does that mean? Does it mean the Minister in his name will give-----

The Deputy should try putting down a question to the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, for answer in the House and will see if he gets an answer.

The Taoiseach stated parliamentarians would get proper responses to any questions they tabled to a Minister, but he seems to be changing his position and now states Irish Water will write to Deputies. The Secretary General is stating this. The Taoiseach needs to be correct and very clear and transparent about what will happen. The big objection last week was that Deputies were kept in the dark for 12 months.

No.

We cannot have a debate.

They did not get any reply.

The Deputy continuously decides what I say.

Deputy Micheál Martin kept the people in the dark.

I am sorry-----

Do not mind the Minister of State.

I answered questions when I was a Minister.

The Deputy never answered one on health.

The Taoiseach stated we would get answers to any questions we tabled here for Irish Water.

Could I intervene? Parliamentary questions are subject to the Standing Orders of the House. If the Deputies want to do things, they must change Standing Orders. The Deputy has got his answer from the Taoiseach. There is a method of getting a reply.

I did not get an answer from the Taoiseach.

The Deputy knows the Standing Orders as well as I do.

The Taoiseach said one thing last week and he was contradicted by the Minister of State. He is coming in here with weasel words, getting out of it and not being straight with me on the issue. Will the Minister answer questions on Irish Water?

The Taoiseach has given the Deputy an answer.

Will the Minister give information that he has in his possession if he is asked for it?

I am sorry, but the Deputy continuously deliberately misconstrues what I stated. I did not state two minutes ago that Irish Water would write to the Deputy. I stated that he should table a question to the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, on Irish Water and see whether he gets an answer.

And we will see what happens.

I will not get an answer.

I want to see that Deputies get answers to questions they ask.

Correct.

In this House.

In the same way the Deputy asks questions of the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, on the HSE or a hospital, he will get an answer in the House. There will be no difference in this case.

No; that is different. The Taoiseach is moving the goalposts again.

We are not having a debate. I call Deputy Adams.

You guys say anything to suit the moment.

That is not what I stated and it is not the first time the Deputy has done this.

The Taoiseach got away with it last week. For God's sake, the Secretary General contradicted the Taoiseach. The Minister of State contradicted him that evening.

I ask the Deputy to, please, resume his seat.

The Taoiseach will say whatever he wants to get out of any corner he is in and it does not mean anything. It is lacking any sincerity. The Taoiseach has no sincerity.

The Deputy codded the people for 15 years.

I have called Deputy Adams. Please respect the Chair.