Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman can decide. I wish to ask general questions across the board. We will then clear the subheads one by one. I will concentrate on a few issues, one of which is flood risk management and the State's portfolio.

The Minister of State says the OPW does a lot of work on behalf of other Departments. It manages the Leinster House complex, Government Buildings, Dublin Castle and many other places. There used to be an issue of being paid by the relevant Department. How much money is due to be paid by Departments and how much is owed for longer than 12 months? Are there amounts for which the OPW has billed Departments that have not been paid? It may be on a sheet of paper in someone's drawer in the OPW or on a sheet of paper in someone else's drawer at the other end, but it is relevant in considering the financing of the OPW.

I was disturbed by one newspaper headline on an article written by a journalist about paintings missing in the Leinster House complex. It gave the impression that it had happened after the previous general election. In fact, it almost gave the impression that some Deputies had run away with them. It could be seen in the light that paintings could not be located after the previous general election.

Will the Minister of State provide an update on this issue? I suspect the paintings have not been tracked down and that they are in storage in a basement somewhere. I would like the Minister of State to debunk the myth that has developed in this matter. I do not have any painting in my office.