The Leader of the House spent most of her parliamentary life in Cabinet whereas I sat at the Cabinet table for a mere two and half years. From 1995 to 1997, I answered questions when I was for a brief period Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. I also answered parliamentary questions in my capacity as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence. On occasion I substituted for other Ministers of State who were unable to be present during Question Time. I can genuinely say that I do not remember any occasion on which I answered a parliamentary question when there was reason for the briefing notes accompanying the question to be withheld from public access. I imagine the Leader of the House could probably testify that the same applied to her. The briefing notes with which one is presented essentially provide information on how the content of the question should be relayed. There is nothing sinister about such notes and why these should be included as part of the new restrictions is beyond me.