Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

As the acting head of Government, I ask the Minister, Deputy Cowen, to give a more positive indication than that on the matter raised by Deputy Kenny. It appears the proposal he has put is reasonable. Anybody who looks closely at the deal Shell Oil got in Mayo would reach the conclusion that the least it can do having got one hell of a deal from the Irish taxpayer is to make itself amenable to mediation with a view to resolving this dispute before the weekend.

Has the Government rethought its position on the whistleblowers Bill? The Tánaiste answered yesterday to the effect that the advice we had been given on these benches in recent years was wrong, that there was no legal advice to the effect that the Bill ought not to proceed, that it was purely official advice. Given recent events, will the Minister reconsider it?

Will the Minister confirm if it is the case that the National Roads Authority is to announce today the award of a €50 million contract for the Castleblaney bypass to Gama Construction? Having regard to recent events, if that is the case — unbelievable and all as it might appear — will the State on this occasion ensure there is full compliance with all regulations, conventions and the law in this country?

See this speech in context