Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The work of committees will continue this month and in September and the work of the Cabinet will continue until August. Last year, there were 22 committee meetings in July after the plenary sessions was completed. Since September 2004, we have published 30 Bills and enacted 22 Bills, while ten Bills are awaiting the signature of the President. In legislative terms, this indicates that the work of the House, while not meeting unanimous approval, as is the nature of any democratic assembly, has been done during this period.

The predictable attempt by the Opposition to suggest that this country is not doing well is best counteracted by the ESRI report published this morning, which confirms that we have the fastest growing economy in Europe.

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