Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Arising from our discussion on Leaders' Questions, has the Government plans to introduce amending legislation to the Competition Act to allow for negotiations to take place between the State and professional bodies on the type of matters to which I referred?

The Taoiseach circulated a briefing note on the proposal to have a joint committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Two issues arise from that briefing note. First, I note discussions are taking place between the Ceann Comhairle and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly on the question of a proposed North-South parliamentary forum. Is it intended this forum will be established before the joint committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement? What will be the difference between the two? What will the joint committee deal with that the North-South parliamentary forum will not?

Second, in the briefing note, the Taoiseach states it is intended that the joint committee might invite Northern Ireland MPs on a cross-community basis to attend and contribute to its proceedings. What discussions, if any, has the Taoiseach had with Northern Ireland MPs and what is their interest in participating in this committee? Will he clarify whether the reference to Northern Ireland MPs is intended to include a reference to MLAs also or only to what the briefing note describes as members of the Westminster Parliament?

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