Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In that case we might have to deal with it in a different way and take 20 minutes by way of a division if I am not allowed enough time to speak under Standing Orders. I had asked the Minister for a response and had expected to get a response but did not. We should not be asked to pass legislation on pensionable allowances when we do not know the allowances to which they relate. Last week I tabled parliamentary questions and have received replies listing hundreds of allowances on a Department-by-Department basis. It makes no sense for the Government to claim it does not have the list. While I know the list may not be definitive, it is available to the Government and has not been discussed with anyone. It might help the Minister of State if I provided her with the list I got from each Department that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will not provide to the House. I cannot let the matter go given that there are hundreds of allowances which should be read into the record if the Minister will not provide it.

I wanted the opportunity to do so but apparently I cannot do that now. I would have done so at my first opportunity. Given that the information was given in responses to parliamentary questions last week, it was reasonable for me to assume the Minister of State had the list. I am shocked that she does not have the list or that the Minister does not even intend giving the list. It shows gross disrespect to the House on the part of the Minister to claim he does not have the list when I have it here. It was well covered in the newspapers last week. Shame on the Department that cannot publish the list that was published in the newspapers last week.

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