Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I understood from the Taoiseach's reply on yesterday's Order of Business that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform hopes to bring forward proposals on below-cost selling during this session. It is my understanding that the more comprehensive general sale of alcohol legislation will be taken later. The Minister is prioritising the below-cost selling aspect of the Holmes report which he received only this week, some four to six weeks after he commissioned it. Yesterday's Official Report will clarify that point.

I do not wish there to be any misunderstanding of my comments on the constituency issue. I am simply making the point that if a political consensus can be devised, it is open to this House to modify a recommendation of the independent commission if it so wishes. That is all I am saying. Sometimes when we receive reports, we convince ourselves that we have no say in the matter. Under the law, we have a say if we so wish. If we cannot find agreement, there will be no change to the independent recommendation and the precedent will proceed. Members on all sides of the House are aware of the problems and difficulties arising from this issue, including in the exalted constituency shared by Deputy Charles Flanagan and me.

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