Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Next week is an important and critical date in respect of the St. Andrews Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement. I understand the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain is to make a statement in respect of some further allocations of funding to deal with the implications of the setting up of the Assembly. Is it envisaged that the Government, even possibly at the weekend, might be inclined to issue a statement in respect of some of these major developments, be it the North-South interconnector, the road to Derry, the Erne canal or whatever, further than the commitments already made by the Minister for Finance? I share the Taoiseach's view on the restoration of the Assembly and support the Government's activities in that regard. I hope the parties involved will ensure that happens. Is it intended to issue a further statement in that regard?

Deputy Bruton and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, referred to the legislation covering the tax code, especially in regard to stamp duty. Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce any reforms in that regard?

See this speech in context