The Government was tonight accused of abusing the parliamentary system by not answering Dail questions.
Opposition TDs claimed that Health Minister Mary Harney was ignoring issues by referring them to the Health Service Executive.
Fine Gael front bench spokesman Bernard Durkan described the Government as a "crowd of goons" presiding over an abuse of the parliamentary system.
Labour deputy leader Liz McManus claimed getting information about the health service was 'like the third secret of Fatima'.
Ms Harney said the HSE was now responsible for operational matters while the Health Department was accountable on policy issues. But Mr Durkan said: "I strongly protest at the way the House is being abused.
"The crowd of goons on the Government benches might think it very funny but this is an abuse of the parliamentary system".
Labour whip Emmett Stagg said asking parliamentary questions was probably the most important power that Opposition TDs had.
He claimed it was taking up to two months to get replies to straightforward questions. He added: "Members are entitled to replies in accordance with the law as established by this House. It is not appropriate that the questions we ask in the House are answered privately, sometimes by telephone."
Sinn Fein's Dail leader Caoimhghin O Caolain also claimed he had experienced a long delay in getting replies.
He said that 45 per cent of all parliamentary questions to Ms Harney are referred to the HSE. He added: "This is an important issue. TDs are not raising these issues for the sake of filling the Order of Business."
Mr Stagg said later in a statement: "While in opposition, Ms Harney was vociferous in demanding parliamentary accountability from those who were in the government. She is now blatantly refusing to give this level of accountability she sought from others." Mr Stagg vowed to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Dail's Committee on Procedure and Privilege.