The Taoiseach indicated that he is considering a shuffle of his ministers of state.

Mr Ahern was replying to the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who asked which Minister would introduce the Agricultural Appeals Office Bill and if Mr Ahern had full confidence in the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Ned O'Keeffe.

He added that on the Sunday before the Dail resumed the Taoiseach had indicated that there would be changes in the portfolios of ministers of state.

Mr Ahern replied: "The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr Walsh) will take the Bill. My comment that I was looking at some of these matters is still relevant."

Mr Quinn said: "The Minister of State has not been in the House since the Dail resumed. Is he all right?"

When the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, said the question was not relevant to the Order of Business, Mr Quinn remarked: "It might be very relevant to the Minister of State."

Mr Brendan Howlin (Labour, Wexford) said: "From the silence, we assume there is no confidence in the Minister of State."