I notice that the Minister for Rural and Community Development is not in the House today and I cannot really blame him. Some days, he must wonder whether he is really a Minister at all because he has a Department without function and money-----

An mbaineann an cheist seo le reachtaíocht?

No, the question does not relate to legislation but it is germane to the House. Interestingly, the Minister is not even listed for oral questions. I have seen the list until Christmas and he has been a Minister since 26 July; well he was a Minister before that but the Department was set up at the end of July. For some reason, the Government does not treat him as a senior player. He is not considered a senior hurler and the Government is not giving him any questions. He is chomping at the bit. He told me he is absolutely crazy to come in and answer some questions.

We get the principle.

My question is when does the Government propose to allow the Minister to act like the rest of the Government - like a senior player - and come in here and answer oral questions at Question Time.

There is no better man to answer the point the Deputy made and no doubt he will be on the rota for the Order of Business. As the Deputy is aware, a separate committee has been established to deal with the issues that come under the remit of his Department.

When?