Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On that same issue, I agree with Deputy Stanton. I had a parliamentary question asking the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to calculate the information on a matter. I always understood that a reply to a parliamentary question was always given to the Member first. However, when the Department collected the information and before I received the reply, it was put up on the departmental website for the media. That is not acceptable. We have order in this House or we do not have order. It is the Ceann Comhairle's job to protect us as Members of the House. I ask him to protect us. If I put down a Dáil question, I expect to get the information first.

It should not be up on the website first and for me to get it four days later. The Ceann Comhairle may inform the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that during the summer recess I will prepare 600 questions for it that will keep it busy throughout next winter.

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