Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Will the Taoiseach elaborate on his meeting with the President of Cyprus? Will he report progress on the issue of the illegal occupation and partition of the island of Cyprus by Turkey? Did the Taoiseach offer assistance in the move towards the reunification of that island and the establishment of normal relations between Cyprus and Turkey? On the issue of his many foreign visits and meetings with heads of state and prime ministers, is he telling the House that the issue of extraordinary rendition has not been discussed or raised by him? Will he be specific as regards what opportunities he has availed of to reflect on this very important issue, particularly now that the European Council has indicated that there is confirmation of the suspicions regarding this practice by the CIA and other agencies? In the light of that, what action, if any, does the Taoiseach now propose to take, particularly on Shannon?

In the matter alluded to earlier by Deputy Kenny, was the nitrates directive discussed at the EU summit, at the margins of it or indeed at any of the other meetings the Taoiseach attended? Did he raise the issue, particularly given that it is due for implementation at midnight tonight and the fears arising therefrom as regards the impact of these regulations on Irish farming, not least on intensive farming practices involving pig and poultry producers? Has the Taoiseach taken steps to try to alleviate the impact of these measures?

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