Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I refer to two issues. When the Taoiseach meets the Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the end of the week, I wonder whether he will raise with him the refusal of the British ambassador to Ireland to engage in normal industrial relations practices by declining an invitation to the Labour Relations Commission regarding a dispute. In the context of the Good Friday Agreement such participation by an employer would be reasonable, good neighbourly behaviour.

Second, I welcome the Student Support Bill, which was published yesterday. Will the Chief Whip ensure the normal convention of a two-week period of reflection takes place before Second Stage commences?

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