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Dáil Éireann - Volume 322 - 11 June, 1980 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports and Exports Cost. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte 3. Mr. Harte asked the Taoiseach the total cost of imports and exports during the 12 months ended 31 March 1980. Mr. Moore Mr. Moore 241 [241] Mr. Moore: During the 12 months ended 31 March 1980 imports amounted to £5,132 million and exports amounted to £3,705 million. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 4. The Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. Killilea) rose. Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy: Is there any explanation for the absence of the Minister from the Chamber? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That does not arise. Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy: Surely it is a discourtesy to the House, to say the least, that despite the Minister being in the House, he is not answering questions? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Chair has no responsibility in this matter. The Minister of State is answering the questions and the Deputy may not raise a question about the absence of the Minister. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: On a point of order, is it to be taken as the practice of the Government for junior Ministers to answer questions when the Cabinet Ministers concerned are in the House? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That type of question is not in order. I am calling Question No. 4. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: As Deputy Deasy has said, this is a discourtesy to the House. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: There is developing the pattern whereby certain Deputies will not allow questions to proceed. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: Perhaps the Taoiseach would care to comment on the Minister's absence. Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly: On a point of order, I think this is a fair point to make. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne 242 [242] An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Not at Question Time and Deputy Kelly should not come in at this stage. Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly: The Minister was in the Chamber one and a half hours ago and if he is engaged on other business now which takes precedence over his answering questions, perhaps we might be told what that other business is. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That type of question should not arise at Question Time. I am calling on the Minister of State to answer Question No. 4. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: I have asked the Taoiseach to clear up this point of order. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The matter is not in order. It is not a point of order at this stage. If it is the intention of Deputy Harte not to allow questions to proceed, the Chair will have to take action. Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly Mr. Kelly: I noticed the Minister exchanging a joke here about one and a half hours ago with his junior Minister. Why is he not here now? Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. Killilea) Mark (Jnr.) Killilea Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. Killilea): For the information of the House, the Minister is at a very important union meeting. The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: It has been a well-established practice both on the part of this Government and on the part of the previous Government that parliamentary questions are answered by the Minister of Government or by a Minister of State as is appropriate and convenient. It just happens that on this occasion the Minister of the Government involved is engaged on very important departmental business. It is perfectly in accordance with the precedents for the Minister of State to answer in these circumstances. Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy: Our concern is that the practice would become standard. Dáil Éireann 322 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Imports and Exports Cost. Questions 19800611
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